Two views of the comparative escalation of nuclear and coal-fired power plant costs

Journal Article · Thu May 27 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Public Util. Fortn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5233386

Doan L. Phung critiques Charles Komanoff's 1981 book Power Plant Cost Escalation, which compares new nuclear plant costs unfavorably with those of new coal plants because of the increase in capital costs. Phung blames prophets of doom who ignore the escalating costs throughout the economy and now focus their anti-nuclear attacks in economic terms. Proposals by Alvin Weinberg and others to concentrate on reactor-safety improvements are used to conclude that these efforts will further expand the capital costs of nuclear plants and make them noncompetitive. Phung questions whether Komanoff's modeling considers enough of the political, regulatory, and technological factors to determine future costs. Komanoff replies by explaining his method of analysis and denying a bias against nuclear power. A postscript by Phung reiterates his criticism of simplistic calculations and extrapolations. 17 references. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 5233386
• Journal Information: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States), Journal Name: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States) Vol. 109:11; ISSN PUFNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210800 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
CAPITALIZED COST
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
FORECASTING
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS