nuclear-news

Future for nuclear power not too bright – even pro nukers agree on that

Policy, cost pose challenges to future of nuclear energyMedill
Reports, BY KELLY PFLAUM JAN 30, 2013   “….. it will be 20 to 30
years before we can expect to see a major revival in the nuclear
energy industry, according to Rober Rosner, director of the Energy
Policy Institute at Chicago…….

Current policy and the safety and cost of operations all present
challenges to the future of nuclear energy, Rosner said at a recent
nuclear energy program sponsored by the Chicago Council on Science and
Technology……The cost of building new plants is enormous and
essentially unaffordable for utilities. Construction of two new
reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia, which are slated for commercial
operation by 2017, carries a $14 billion price tag and they are part
of an exisitng plant, according to Atlanta-based Southern Co., the
energy company behind the construction plans.

The reactors are the first to be approved for new construction in the
U.S. since the Three Mile Island accident…… There are a total of
104 reactors at several plants across multiple states, but no new
plants have been built in over 35 years, Rosner said. Nine of those
reactors are no longer producing electricity, but store spent fuel on
site……
Currently plants can operate for about 40 years, but there is
conversation now that, as long as safety standards are met, plants
could increase their licensing for up to 60 or more years.

January 31, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general