Nuclear Nation The Full Cost of Electricity in the United States
Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Coe, Richard
Keywords
Nuclear, Power, Full Cost, Cost, Coal, External, Externalities, Energy, Uranium, Fink, John, Young, Patrick
Area of Concentration
Economics
Abstract
The United States requires energy to support its economy and way of life. Our current sources of energy are becoming increasingly untenable because of problems with supplies including depletion of our own resources and hence dependence upon foreign sources, rising prices and environmental issues including concerns over global warming. This paper computes the full costs of electrical power generation from each source, including health and environmental costs. Oil and natural gas are depleting resources with rapidly rising prices, uncertain supplies and significant environmental costs. Wind and hydro-electric are so constrained by geography that they can only make minor contributions to our future energy needs. Solar power is very costly due to the initial investment required, and is also so diffuse that it can only meet low-intensity needs. Coal has tremendous environmental costs. However, nuclear power utilizes an inexpensive and plentiful fuel source, initial investment has become competitive, and its environmental impact is lower than any power source other than solar. Thus, nuclear power is the logical choice for future generation of electricity. Encouraging nuclear power does not require any special subsidies, but only requires that the market price of electrical generation for each source reflects their true cost. The suggested method of internalizing these external costs is through the implementation of a carbon tax.
Recommended Citation
Fink, John, "Nuclear Nation The Full Cost of Electricity in the United States" (2008). Theses & ETDs. 3938.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3938
Rights
This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.