Is nuclear power's time finished in the US?

[matthew1]

Im here the rest of August..

[BlackBart]

Let's require Bozos to take one load of spent fuel rods on his rocket ships every so often and fire them off to the sun.

[abscate]

He can ride one down into the Sun like Slim Pickens…..

[abscate]

This year it became more economical to build a solar farm power plant than a gas fired one, for the first time in history

I’m guessing that just about kills nuclear on capital cost

[volvolugnut]

This year it became more economical to build a solar farm power plant than a gas fired one, for the first time in history

I’m guessing that just about kills nuclear on capital cost

Unless there is a giant leap forward on nuclear plant design and waste disposal, nuclear plants are not likely to be built when renewables are cheaper.
However, nuclear plants can operate all night and in any weather.
volvolugnut

[matthew1]

Nuclear was The Answer. We could have had unmetered power, like the infamous promise delivered in late 40s? 50s?

But it was made a Sisyphus-ian exercise early on by the legions of low-IQ fearmongers. The Greens hated nuclear, and by doing that prolonged coal and its awful emissions for decades. Irony incarnate.

[Jaydiesel]

Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are the only nuclear plants being built right now in the last 30 years in the US. The cost over runs are in the double digit billions. I think building new plants are finished in the US after this plant is done. To high cost, to much risk dealing with government, civilians (not in my backyard) and the what to do with the waste.

I find it sad, nuclear energy is done in the US as we probably wont build anymore plants, the cost for older plants to upgrade will be so high or even the license renewals will get denied for reasons that could be political.

[volvolugnut]

Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are the only nuclear plants being built right now in the last 30 years in the US. The cost over runs are in the double digit billions. I think building new plants are finished in the US after this plant is done. To high cost, to much risk dealing with government, civilians (not in my backyard) and the what to do with the waste.

I find it sad, nuclear energy is done in the US as we probably wont build anymore plants, the cost for older plants to upgrade will be so high or even the license renewals will get denied for reasons that could be political.

You summarized all the issues. I doubt the Vogtle plants will be completed.
volvolugnut

[abscate]

1 Gwatt hour $28B for Vogtle

1 Gwatt solar $1B roughly

[abscate]

Fun fact. California has deployed the solar equivalent of 6 Diablo Canyon nuclear plants