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Nuclear power plants currently cost more to build than power plants using coal or gas. This difference is narrowing, as long experience with nuclear power helps to shrink construction periods and extend plant lifetimes. Already, due to low-cost fuel and improved efficiency, nuclear plants - once built - can be less expensive to operate. Thus, even in a marketplace that does not fully credit its virtues, nuclear power is increasingly competitive.
Putting a price tag on harmful emissions would quickly make nuclear power the cheapest option - as well as the cleanest - for generating increased energy on a global scale.
An Expansive Nuclear Future
Today nuclear energy provides 16% of world electricity. With sound public policy, this percentage could grow rapidly - supporting global economic prosperity without greenhouse gases and pollution.
Fortunately, the uranium that fuels nuclear power is found in great quantity in both earth and seawater. Uranium's worldwide availability at economically viable cost is a key factor that would allow a sharp expansion in nuclear power.
The nuclear power industry is preparing a new generation of reactors. Simpler, standardized designs will expedite licensing and reduce the time and cost of construction - even while maintaining the highest standards of protection against accident, earthquake or terrorist attack. Advanced reactors will also cost even less to operate, and produce less waste. A key innovation will be the incorporation of 'inherent' or 'passive' safety features - the use of natural physical principles as a substitute for active controls.
Beyond producing clean electricity, the clean energy from nuclear power could be used to distil salt water on a massive scale. 'Desalination' plants would help to meet the desperate shortage of fresh water that could afflict more than half the world's people by 2025.
Today, in addition to providing clear energy, a dazzling array of nuclear technologies helps to improve medical diagnosis, protect livestock health, develop water resources, preserve food, promote agricultural productivity, cure human illness, enhance human nutrition, advance environmental science, eradicate virulent pests and strengthen industrial quality control.
Further ReadingThe Economics of Nuclear PowerEnergy Subsidies & External CostsSupply of UraniumAdvanced Nuclear Power ReactorsNuclear Reactors for SpaceRadioisotopes in MedicineRadioisotopes in IndustryNuclear Desalination