Energy planning in response to climate change: Accurate costs are critical

By Bruce Biewald | 13 July 2011

Article Highlights

• During the 1970s and 1980s, the actual costs (in inflation-adjusted dollars) of building US nuclear power plants were about three times as much as the estimated costs.
• So far, modern nuclear plants are also proving to be prone to cost escalation, and much more expensive than early proponents of the "nuclear renaissance" estimated.
• With billions of dollars at stake, it is important to revisit cost assumptions for major energy projects frequently in order to recognize the latest data and trends.