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Title: Nuclear energy center finance and ownership considerations

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6885495· OSTI ID:6885495

Finance and ownership alternatives for a nuclear energy center (NEC) in South Carolina are analyzed in the context of the capital market and tax differences among alternatives. The ownership alternatives considered are (1) the private or private/public joint venture, (2) full public ownership and (3) a hybrid ownership form featuring federal involvement in the initial site development and permit phase, followed by a transition to private ownership. Public ownership is associated with considerably lower out-of-pocket costs than private ownership; the difference between the two, however, is related to subsidies from other parts of society to electricity customers of a publicly owned NEC. The attitudes of participating utilities on ownership forms are examined, with the finding of general strong opposition to increased federal involvement in the electric utility industry through NEC ownership. The conclusion is that the private-private/public joint venture is the preferable ownership form and that public ownership should be employed only if the private sector fails to respond to future energy demand.

Research Organization:
Economic Consultants, Columbia, SC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6885495
Report Number(s):
ORNL/SUB-80/13632/1; TRN: 80-017826
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English