Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumUS carbon regulations may spur new nuclear capacity in long term: S&P
While natural gas generation will remain the "main option" for utilities seeking to add -capacity in coming years, nuclear reactors will offer companies a way to maintain fuel diversity in the face of a surge in gas-fired units, the report said.
The Environmental Protection Agency's proposed regulations set a goal of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide 30% from 2005 levels by 2030. "Although all options for cleaner power generation are on the table, it's clear that nuclear power plants also offer an opportunity for the utilities to support long-term demand growth while avoiding increased carbon emissions," wrote S&P analyst Judith Waite.
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Worries that nuclear plants cannot be built on time and to budget may be fading, the report said. "Although nuclear power does come with risk, we believe that changes to plant designs mean that credit risk isn't as great as it might otherwise be for those who choose the nuclear route," the report said.
http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/us-carbon-regulations-may-spur-new-nuclear-capacity-21723537
Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)Nuclear is far less dangerous in terms of deaths per terawatt than any other major electrical generating source (for coal you have to take into account mining accidents + respiratory illnesses). And for everyone saying "butbut...FUKUSHIMA! CHERNOBYL! Fear!", any nuclear plants in the USA are not likely to be built with inherently dangerous Soviet reactor designs, or in seismically active zones on floodplains. If the tradeoff is 20 years of nuclear while developing new carbon-neutral technologies, then it's probably the best option available. (Note that 90% of France's electrical generating capacity is nuclear and they haven't had any major incidents.)
FBaggins
(26,695 posts)If you're only going to use it for 20 years, then they're too expensive... but that really won't be the case. We'll still be replacing coal plants well beyond 20 years from now.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)(from: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Facts-and-Figures/Nuclear-generation-by-country )
BTW they're hosting a big nuclear trade-show in October this year:
France to host airshow-style nuclear exhibition
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/05/us-france-nuclear-conference-idUSKBN0EG2TS20140605
FBaggins
(26,695 posts)France is a big exporter of electricity. Their total nuclear generation has provided closer to 90% of demand (a few years ago)... even though it's closer to 75% of generation. It's just a question of how you score the exports.