Nuke plants in trouble

Dear editor:

AEHI wants the nuclear plant discussion to be about jobs and benefits, but what they don't say is there's a strong likelihood it may not even be built. New plant construction all over the US is being questioned because of phenomenal costs.

Elmore County must consider this issue before rezoning farm ground in Hammett solely for AF-HI's proposal.

Just two weeks ago Forbes magazine (7/16/09) reported that energy economist Mark Cooper encouraged the state of Florida not to support two new proposed nuclear power plants. Dr. Cooper is considered a leading national expert on the financing of nuclear power reactors, and has recently written "The Economics of Nuclear Reactors: Renaissance or Relapse?" (Available online).

The Cooper report states that it would cost $1.9 trillion to $4.1 trillion more to generate electricity over the life of 100 new nuclear reactors than it would to generate the same electricity from a combination of more energy efficiency and renewables.

A month ago (6/30/09) nuclear giant Exelon announced that it is delaying plans for two reactors in Texas indefinitely, citing economic concerns. AEHI said last week that IPP Luminant in Texas bought two reactors for $6.8 billion.

However, the Dallas Morning News reported last month that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may "take years" to decide whether or not to allow Luminant to build additional proposed reactors in Texas, citing both costs and long lead times for reactors, as well as radioactive leaks and waste storage concerns.

The Wall Street Journal reported (5/12/08) that though nuclear power is regaining favor as an alternative to other sources of power generation, it may not be suitable to meet growing energy needs due to the industry's high costs. The Journal cited skyrocketing costs for commodities such as cement, steel, and copper, a growing shortage of skilled labor and an apparent shrinking supply network for the industry.

Billionaire magnet Warren Buffett tried in 2007 to build a merchant reactor much like the one AEHI is proposing in Idaho, and eventually left the state saying in the Journal (2008) the power plant was not economically feasible. Since then the economic climate has worsened considerably.

Bob Bledsoe

Hammett