Summary
The subject that few are talking about is the aging of the nuclear power fleet world wide. In the US the 104 plants averge age is over 35 years and is in the process of repermitting what may be the final phase of their economic life. The French Atomic Energy Agency says that this is a world wide problem. The US will need to replace its fleet over the next 30 years and will need another 104 units to meet forecasted demand. World wide this amounts to a 900 million ton coal equivalent loss of generation capacity.
Analysis
Short sighted battles over plant safety and future storage of spent fuel is pushing the US and world to the brink of power outtages and restraint of economic growth.
The industry has shown a remarkable safety record and this generation of plants promise even greater safety. The collapse of the Soviet system and its analogy at Chernobyl are, unfortunately, the vision. The rest of the world has operated without a failure. Three Mile Island, in fact, operated just as the safety features were designed.
The public's lack of scientific knowledge allows the demagogues to make this into an intractable issue. Meanwhile, the environment waits for clean energy.
