The plants at Clinton and Quad Cities have lost a combined $800 million in the past seven years. The power stations will retire in June 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Nuclear power plants have high capital (financial) costs over their lifetime. Generally, private investments,bank loans and the all-important, legislative support become necessary for plants to thrive. Exelon noted increasing costs associated with running nuclear plants in recent years. According to the company's website, the "costs to operate the facilities consist of labor, maintenance outages, fuel, capital investments and substantial property taxes paid to host communities." (See Exelon below.)
For continued use of nuclear power, the case to build to investors, bankers and governments has been one of guaranteeing that a combined cost from $2-4 billion all the way up to $9 billion for the construction of a new plant can be justified in the face of these less capital-intensive, more environmental and community friendly options coming into the market. In fact, the Union of Concerned Scientists noted back in 2009 that even after more than 50 years of nuclear power, it remains, "...too expensive to finance...." (See UCS below.)
To finish our news of the month, here is a video on Nuclear Power from the YouTube channel Kurzgesagt: In a Nutshell.
Please be sure to check out the links below and the YouTube Channel Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell. Kurzgesagt hosts several explanatory videos that makes science simpler to understand.
Thanks for your reading! See you July 1st!
Exelon: http://www.exeloncorp.com/newsroom/exelon-statement-on-early-retirement-of-clinton-and-quad-cities-nuclear-facilities
UCS: http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-power/cost-nuclear-power#.V2gmMo-cF1t
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