The Guardian newspaper weighs into the debate on new nuclear build today with an article examining whether the cost of managing nuclear risk slows the construction of new nuclear power stations. It conclusion is that, even if it were ascertained that current regulations are too tough this would be unlikely to lead to any great cost-reduction for new build.
WNA's Jeremy Gordon points out that the impact comes in lost opportunity, because overly strict regulations can be a barrier to entry in using nuclear power. A drive for ever lower dose constraints goes beyond the point that any benefits can be measured. Beyond even the point that any benefit exists. If this continues it could represent a barrier to entry so high that some countries without nuclear power may never begin to use it. This would close off one of the significant technologies that can generate low-carbon power with low environmental impact. A failure to develop new nuclear generation will lead to real health effects arising from the predominantlyfossil fuel electricity generation likely to be deployed in its place - from increased air pollution, fuel poverty and climate change.