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Nuclear Power Can't Keep Up
Red tape and high costs could hold America's nuclear industry back from keeping up with demand. Bill Von Hoene, executive vice president and general counsel for Chicago-based Exelon Corp., says the country would need 45 new reactors by 2030 to keep providing one-fifth of the nation's electricity.

"We go to extreme lengths to make sure nuclear power plants are some of the safest, most efficient industrial facilities in the world," said Von Hoene. "Still, it will be very difficult to build a new plant in the United States unless the federal government provides loan guarantees for their construction and delivers on its promise of a secure, long-term storage site for spent fuel."

The company is aiming to build a two-reactor plant in Texas at a cost of $18 billion to $20 billion.

Nuclear's pros include reliability and ecological safety, but waste disposal remains an issue -- as does cost.

(Illinois Radio Network)
01 02 09 by Newsroom
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