The nuclear option is hardly a viable one

By OLIVE HERSHEY
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Jan. 30, 2010, 4:23PM
Nuclear power is not a viable answer to climate change. Houstonians and Texans have cheaper, smarter and safer ways to meet our energy needs.
Nuclear power is heavily subsidized by taxpayers and ratepayers, is prone to delay and cost overruns, and incurs radioactive risks, including the apparent impossibility of safely storing radioactive waste. Nuclear reactors consume vast quantities of precious water. Investing billions of dollars in more nuclear power would divert funding that would be better spent on energy efficiency and safer, cleaner renewable energy such as solar, wind and geothermal.
In terms of climate, even if nuclear power were a good idea, it would be impossible to build enough reactors in time to make a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Since Japan Steel Works Ltd. is the only facility with the required fabrication capacity, only four reactor containment vessels can be built in the world every year. The U.S. alone would need 300 reactors in order to significantly reduce global warming gases.
In 2009, NRG purchased Houston-based Reliant Retail Energy, which for years bought nuclear-generated power from the South Texas Project (formerly the South Texas Nuclear Project). Construction cost estimates for two additional reactors in Bay City now exceed $18 billion, three times NRG's original projections. The completion of the first two STNP reactors ran six times over budget, were eight years late coming online and were plagued with mismanagement, construction problems and lawsuits. If NRG completes the new South Texas Project reactors, Houston ratepayers will absorb a significant part of similarly skyrocketing costs.
NRG and CPS Energy, San Antonio's city-owned utility, partners in the proposed expansion, are fighting each other in court. When ratepayers in San Antonio learned of a $4 billion nuclear price increase, they rebelled. CPS had hidden the higher cost, in essence lying to the San Antonio City Council and the public for half a year. Facing serious backlash, CPS now seeks to clarify terms for pulling out of the project and wants $32 billion from project partners.
What about the Generation IV reactor technology referenced in the Chronicle's editorial "Nuclear options; Nuclear power may be a ‘green' solution worth using. At the least, let's find out" (Page B8, Jan. 6)? It is not on the drawing boards for any proposed reactors seeking licenses in the United States, and it faces years of design, engineering and testing before licensing can occur.
The good news is that effective and affordable energy solutions are already being used and improved. Texas now leads the nation in wind power. One day last October, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas reported 25 percent of our energy came from wind. Texas can become a leader on the solar front, too. Solar costs are plummeting, and stimulus funding helps. We have an opportunity to develop clean-energy industries and create local jobs
West Texas wind that comes in at night can be perfectly paired with solar energy generated during the day, and natural gas and peaking plants can bridge the gaps between them. Preapproved transmission is helping new wind and solar projects move forward. Geothermal power systems can help heat and cool homes. And "smart grid" technology will reduce the need for base load plants, the outdated leviathans of the energy world. It's time for zippy and flexible energy plants that can ramp up or down quickly to meet changing demand.
Energy efficiency is reducing energy demand. New homes and businesses are being built to use less energy and save on electricity. New legislation allows for better financing of energy upgrades, since costs will be able to stay with property if it's sold. Those who wisely made the improvements will be free of ongoing debt if they decide to move.
In the end, who will want expensive nuclear power when more affordable options are available? NRG has been searching for more than a year for a buyer for 20 percent of the proposed STP expansion. None has surfaced. San Antonio wants less of its share and may want to get out altogether.
Houston ratepayers will be hit with large electric rate hikes if NRG continues down the nuclear path. Former Nuclear Regulatory Commission member Peter Bradford predicted a 60 percent increase in utility bills for San Antonio with more nuclear power. Expensive and risky nuclear power should be dropped in favor of clean, affordable and quickly deployed wind and solar energy.
Hershey is a fiction writer, an environmental activist and a partner in a farming and ranching business. She was born in Houston and has lived here most of her life.