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This book provides a concise but rigorous appraisal about the future of nuclear power and the presumed nuclear renaissance. It does so by assessing the technical, economic, environmental, political, and social risks related to all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mills and mines to nuclear reactors and spent fuel storage facilities. In each case, the book argues that the costs of nuclear power significantly outweigh its benefits. It concludes by calling for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency as a better path towards an affordable, secure, and socially acceptable future.
The prospect of a global nuclear renaissance could change the way that energy is produced and used the world over. Sovacool takes a hard look at who would benefit — mostly energy companies and manufacturers — and who would suffer — mostly taxpayers, those living near nuclear facilities, and electricity customers. This book is a must-read for anyone even remotely concerned about a sustainable energy future, and also for those with a specific interest in modern nuclear power plants.
Sample Chapter(s)
Chapter 1: Introduction: Exploring the “Faustian Bargain” (326 KB)
Chapter 2: The Nuclear Industry: “Smoking Cigarettes to Keep the Weight Off” (1,130 KB)
Chapter 8: The Self-Limiting Future of Nuclear Power (326 KB)
Contents:
- Introduction: Exploring the “Faustian Bargain”
- The Nuclear Industry: “Smoking Cigarettes to Keep the Weight Off”
- Safety and Reliability: Dealing with “Normal Accidents”
- Unfavorable Economics: “Too Costly to Matter”
- Environmental Damages: “Cutting Butter with a Chainsaw”
- Political and Social Concerns: “Broken Plowshare”
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: “The Fire Extinguisher”
- The “Self-Limiting” Future of Nuclear Power
- Postscript: The “Hydra-Headed” Fukushima Nuclear Crisis
Readership: Undergraduate and graduate students in energy policy, environmental studies, science and technology studies, economics and other related courses.
“Contesting the Future of Nuclear Power provides a badly needed, concise, and comprehensive overview of the reasons why nuclear energy is a deeply flawed policy option. The list of reasons is a long one: accidents, cost overruns, low return on investment, decommissioning costs, terrorism risks, uranium shortages, groundwater contamination, disposal risks, mining hazards, shipping security, centralized bureaucracy, etc. Moreover, for those who wish to portray nuclear energy as a ‘green’ energy option, Sovacool explodes the green myth by showing that carbon emissions over the life cycle of a nuclear-powered electricity plant are strikingly high, and the trend is for the carbon footprint of nuclear energy to become equivalent to that of electricity from fossil fuels.”
David J Hess
Professor
Science and Technology Studies Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Professor
Science and Technology Studies Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
“The much-vaunted US nuclear renaissance isn't happening. Contesting the Future of Nuclear Power is a must-read book that explains why that's no surprise.”
Joseph Romm
Editor of ClimateProgress.org and former US Assistant Secretary of Energy
Editor of ClimateProgress.org and former US Assistant Secretary of Energy
“The book reads easily, requires no background to follow the text, and is informative and well architected. The book is a worthwhile addition to any library with audiences interested in energy-related topics.”
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