How much does nuclear power cost consumers?

Answer 1

I'm no expert on this, but some ideas: Defense - the Government pays for all warships, some of which have nuclear reactors, including submarines. The Government supports the NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission so I guess they pay their costs. The Government is also concerned with dealing with nuclear waste, and cleanup of old facilities like Hanford. What this amounts to in dollars I'm afraid I have no figures for.

Answer 2

The UK Government has recently set up a department, the Office for Nuclear Development (OND), with aims as below, so the costs of running this department are relevant, but I do not think have been made public. It probably needs an MP to ask a formal question of the Government. As well as this department, the Government has the costs of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to cover. There are no development projects ongoing now in connection with new reactors, as it is intended to use proven technologies and designs.

The aims of the OND are: * To facilitate new nuclear investment in the UK: ** enable operators to build and operate new nuclear power stations in the UK from the earliest possible date and to enable new nuclear to make the fullest contribution it is capable of, with no public subsidy, and with unnecessary obstacles removed ** build and maintain the UK as the best market in the world for companies to do business in nuclear power ** create and support a globally competitive UK supply chain, focusing on high value added activities to take advantage of the UK and worldwide nuclear programme * To advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of his regulatory and policy functions in relation to the nuclear industry: ** The OND will have policy ownership for the Government's responsibilities on nuclear safety, security and safeguards ** The OND will help ensure continued progress on waste management and decommissioning ** The OND will have responsibility for implementing the nuclear elements of the UK Government's Global Threat Reduction Programme through the establishment of cooperative threat reduction projects with key partner nations and for the other elements of BERR's non proliferation policy The OND will exercise its functions in a manner which takes account of the relevant regulatory regimes and the Government's broader energy goals. The OND, whose staff will be drawn from both the civil service and from industry, will bring together the relevant Government teams and resources to achieve its objectives. Decommisioning costs were covered in a separate answer

Answer 3

As a consumer you buy electricity at a rate which includes all types of generation, so you can't separate out the nuclear part of it.