U.S. loans to boost nuclear industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Obama administration is poised to announce loan guarantees to help kick-start the country's nuclear power industry, which hasn't built a new plant in more than three decades.

Congress authorized $18.5 billion for nuclear loan guarantees in 2005, hoping to revive development of the carbon-free source of energy. Investments in nuclear power has dried up on soaring costs following the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island.

But earlier this year, the U.S. Energy Department signaled it was keen to aid the industry and narrowed the list of those likely to receive loan guarantees to four: Southern Co, Constellation Energy, NRG Energy and SCANA Corp.

"When DOE issues their first loan guarantee, that's going to send an important signal to private-sector financing, and Wall Street in particular," said John Keeley, a spokesman for the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Southern, which wants to build two reactors at the Vogtle plant in Georgia, is expected to be awarded the first loan guarantee.

Energy Department officials would not give a specific date on when the details will be announced but said they were committed to restarting the nuclear industry.

"We are on track to announce the first loan guarantee soon," said Stephanie Mueller, a department spokeswoman.

The money allotted would probably support construction of about two to three plants. A nuclear power plant can cost $6 billion to $7 billion to build, according to industry estimates.

Even after receiving a guarantee, the companies would still have to complete the licensing process and secure private financing before construction begins.

Barring major delays, actual construction of a plant would not start before 2011, with the first new plant coming on line around 2017 or 2018, according to the nuclear institute.

The nuclear trade group has called for $100 billion in additional loan guarantees for low carbon energy sources to help support replacing aging reactors and to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. utilities that hope to build new reactors will have to overcome rising construction costs, uncertain cost recovery from customers and lower power demand caused by the recession.

Critics of nuclear power say the projects are too expensive and too risky to receive billions of taxpayer dollars. Environmentalists also raise concerns about the disposal of nuclear waste.

Related News

coal plant sunset

Looming Coal and Nuclear Plant Closures Put ‘Just Transition’ Concept to the Test

WASHINGTON - The coronavirus pandemic has not changed the grim reality facing workers at coal and nuclear power plants in the U.S. and Europe. How those workers will fare in the years ahead will vary greatly based on where they live and the prevailing political winds.

In Europe, the retirement of aging plants is increasingly seen as a matter of national concern. Germany this year agreed to a €40 billion ($45 billion) compensation package for workers affected by the country's planned phaseout of coal generation by 2038. Last month the Spanish authorities agreed on a just transition plan affecting 2,300 workers…

READ MORE
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball

N.L. premier says Muskrat Falls costs are too great for optimism about benefits

READ MORE

montana power lines

Investing in a new energy economy for Montana

READ MORE

ontario-clean-electricity-regulations

Ontario's Clean Electricity Regulations: Paving the Way for a Greener Future

READ MORE

russia-to-ban-bitcoin-mining-amid-electricity-deficit

Russia to Ban Bitcoin Mining Amid Electricity Deficit

READ MORE