Contesting the Future of Nuclear Power

by Sovacool, Benjamin K.

• ISBN13: 9789814322751
• ISBN10: 981432275X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-04-30
• Publisher: World Scientific Pub Co Inc

Summary

This book provides a concise but rigorous appraisal about the future of nuclear power and the presumed nuclear renaissance. It does so by assessing the technical, economic, environmental, political, and social risks related to all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mills and mines to nuclear reactors and spent fuel storage facilities. In each case, the book argues that the costs of nuclear power significantly outweigh its benefits. It concludes by calling for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency as a better path towards an affordable, secure, and socially acceptable future.The prospect of a global nuclear renaissance could change the way that energy is produced and used the world over. Sovacool takes a hard look at who would benefit - mostly energy companies and manufacturers - and who would suffer - mostly taxpayers, those living near nuclear facilities, and electricity customers. This book is a must-read for anyone even remotely concerned about a sustainable energy future, and also for those with a specific interest in modern nuclear power plants.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. v
Introduction: Exploring the ôFaustain Bargainö	p. 1
What Makes This Book Different	p. 3
Preview of Chapters	p. 4
The Stalled Nuclear Renaissance	p. 6
The Nuclear Industry: ôSmoking Cigarettes to Keep the Weight Offö	p. 15
Current Status of the Nuclear Industry	p. 15
The Basics of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle	p. 26
Drivers of Nuclear Power Expansion	p. 36
Plans for Nuclear Expansion	p. 39
Safety and Reliability: Dealing with ôNormal Accidentsö	p. 47
Safety and Accidents	p. 48
Materials and Labor	p. 83
Fuel Availability and Energy Payback	p. 85
Unfavorable Economics: ôToo Costly to Matterö	p. 101
Construction and Operating Costs	p. 102
Reprocessing Costs	p. 113
Waste Storage Costs	p. 116
Decommissioning Costs	p. 118
Fuel Costs	p. 122
Security Costs	p. 124
Research Costs	p. 125
Environmental Damages: ôCutting Butter with a Chainsawö	p. 133
Land Use	p. 134
Water Use and Contamination	p. 146
Climate Change	p. 153
Medical and Health Risks	p. 158
Political and Social Concerns: ôBroken Plowshareö	p. 171
Transmission and Distribution Vulnerability	p. 173
Plant and Reactor Insecurity	p. 174
Weapons Proliferation	p. 181
Military Conflict	p. 192
Maritime and Transport Security	p. 194
Community Marginalization	p. 200
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: ôThe Fire Extinguisherö	p. 211
Energy Efficiency	p. 212
Renewable Energy	p. 217
The ôSelf-Limitingö Future of Nuclear Power	p. 245
Market Failure and Externalities	p. 250
Subsidies and the Socialization of Risk	p. 253
Hubris and Technological Fantasy	p. 259
Conclusion	p. 268
Postscript: The ôHydra-Headedö Fukushima Nuclear Crisis	p. 275
Index	p. 293
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