In breederless U. S. : is there a live nuclear option

Journal Article · Mon May 09 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Energy User News; (United States)

OSTI ID:7105051

Edwards, P L

President Carter's deferment of the Clinch River Breeder Reactor Project has raised doubts about the future of nuclear-generated electricity. A new view must replace the assumption that nuclear power combined with fuel recycling and the breeder reactor will provide the bulk of future electricity needs. Carter's view is expected to favor solar and fusion energy sources because they offer more environmental and political advantages. The nuclear industry's life span will then be shortened to that of a stop gap source until uranium ore is depleted (estimated at about 30 years) and alternative sources are ready. ERDA is sponsoring a Non-Proliferation Assessment Study Group to explore alternatives to the plutonium-based breeder and make comparative evaluations between the current throwaway, tandem, and thorium fuel cycles on the basis of economics, commercialization, potential energy, technical feasibility, and non-proliferation. Utilities find the throwaway approach to be inconsistent with Carter's goal of energy conservation, although reactor efficiency could be improved. If the thorium cycle is accepted, the breeder program would be able to continue without drastic change once a thorium mining industry is developed. There is some question of whether thorium will be able to meet the non-proliferation criteria unless a centrifuge or laser program is also developed. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 7105051
• Journal Information: Energy User News; (United States), Journal Name: Energy User News; (United States) Vol. 2:18; ISSN EUSND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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