Nuclear power: why US nuclear 'renaissance' fizzled and plants are closing

[kristopher]

Nuclear power: why US nuclear 'renaissance' fizzled and plants are closing

A funny thing happened on the way to a nuclear renaissance: For the first time in 15 years, operating nuclear plants are being forced to close, and energy companies are scuttling plans for new plants and upgrades to existing ones.

In addition to four closures of nuclear plants so far this year, two other US nuclear plants are at a crossroads, and dozens more at risk of early retirement.

It points to the thwarted promise of a nuclear industry that 10 years ago seemed on the verge of revival, until derailed by cheap energy alternatives, listless energy demand, and renewed safety and regulatory concerns, especially after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident.

... both public opinion and market forces are working against the renaissance that industry backers have been predicting. This week, a former chair of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission called for shutting down the Indian Point nuclear power plant near New York City and the Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth, Mass., citing safety concerns.

“Severe accidents have happened and they will happen,” said former NRC chair Gregory Jaczko...

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2013/1010/Nuclear-power-why-US-nuclear-renaissance-fizzled-and-plants-are-closing-video

[madokie]

1. The law of averages says its only a matter of time

We have too many nuclear power plants sited near large population areas to allow them to continue to operate especially in the face that they're all getting long of tooth, OLD.
No one can afford to build new ones to replace the aging ones so we're left with essentially ticking time bombs. IMO

Shit happens

[Demeter]

2. Murphy's Law is even more insistent

but economics above all says that the nukes are history, and a very black spot indeed.