plants, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 introduced a new suite of subsidies for nuclear power. The report estimates that these subsidies could be worth between 4.2 and 11.4C/kWh, or as much as 200 percent of the projected price of electricity when these plants are built.
"All low-carbon energy technologies would be able to compete on their merits if the government established an energy-neutral playing field and put a price on carbon," said Vancko.
"Investing in nuclear power carries the unique risks of radioactive waste storage, accidents, and nuclear weapons proliferation that must be fully reflected in the technology's costs, which is not the case today."
Based on these findings, the report recommends that the federal government reduce subsidies to the nuclear power industry. If subsidies are necessary, the government should award them competitively to the most cost-effective low-carbon energy technologies. The report also recommends that the government modernize liability systems for nuclear power and establish regulations and fee structures for uranium mining, waste repository financing, and water usage that fully reflect the technology's cost and risks.
"After 50 years," said Koplow, "the nuclear industry needs to move away from government patronage to a model based on real economic viability. The considerable operational and construction risks of this power source need to be reflected in the delivered price of power rather than dumped onto taxpayers."
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Union of Concerned Scientists
"Billions of Dollars in Subsidies for the Nuclear Power Industry Will Shift Financial Risks to Taxpayers."
"Nuclear Loan Guarantees: Another Taxpayer Bailout Ahead."
Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Science, Nuclear Technology
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
Chernobyl was lesson in nuclear peril: Gorbachev
Paris (AFP) March 1, 2011
The upcoming 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster is a brutal reminder of the dangers of nuclear power, proliferation and terrorism, former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev said on Tuesday. "The true scope of the tragedy still remains beyond comprehension and is a shocking reminder of the reality of the nuclear threat," Gorbachev said in an essay published by the Bulletin of the Atom ... read more
Gravity Lensing Brightens Distant Galaxies|
FPL Unveils World's First Hybrid Solar Energy Center
SunWize Partners With SunRun For Simpler Home Solar Power
Clear Skies Passes Milestone
Custom Packaging Completes Solar PV Installation
GL Garrad Hassan Delivers Wind Map Of Lebanon
Eon to build fifth U.K. offshore wind farm
GL Garrad Hassan Launches Onshore Wind Resource Mapping For UK
Construction Begins On Dempsey Ridge Wind Project
Carbon Offsets Provide Unique New Option For Landowners
Italy moves to reduce renewable energy handouts
Hong Kong tycoon 'set to clinch British power business'
Germany's RWE sees tough years ahead
China pledges 'green' push over next five years
Arab unrest and the 'End of the Oil Age'
Japanese Scientists Use Alcoholic Drinks To Induce Superconductivity
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Turbines Promise Giant Leap
Planet Formation In Action
'Missing' element gives planet birth clues
'Wandering' planets may have water, life
Back To The Roots Of The Solar System
Russia denies snub in Mistral deal
First complete submarine rescue system launched
Russia and France in deadlock over Mistral cost: report
Father of Soviet submarines dead at 91
Russia To Probe Major Planets Before 2023
Advanced NASA Instrument Gets Close-up On Mars Rocks
Good Health Report After Hiatus In Communications
Experiment volunteers take 2nd 'walk on Mars'
|The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endor