Apr 3, 2009 5:45 pm US/Central
Reality Check: Minnesota's Nuclear Power Future
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
In a surprise move, the Minnesota Senate has voted to
lift Minnesota's moratorium on new nuclear power plants.
In the midst of an energy crisis, Minnesota could be joining other states in taking a new look at what's been a very controversial source of power -- nuclear.
There are no plans to build a third nuclear power plant in Minnesota. Currently there are two nuclear plants, one in Monticello, northwest of the Twin Cities and one near Red Wing, south of the metro area.
As part of an agreement to allow on-site storage of nuclear waste, the Minnesota legislature in 1994 placed a moratorium on any new construction of nuclear facilities. But concerns about
global warming may be changing all that.
"Please vote yes for less CO2," said Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel, during a Senate floor debate Thursday. "Please vote yes for less climate change. Please vote yes for cheaper energy."
IN FACT...
It is true that nuclear plants emit less CO2 than coal fired plants and less than natural gas facilities. Both produce heat trapping gases that are blamed for global warming, but
the cost is a mixed bag.
Nuclear power plants can be far less expensive to operate than coal or gas. But
building one takes 10 years and is very expensive.
According to federal government estimates, a nuclear plant can cost up to $8 billion. That's twice the $4 billion cost for a coal fired power plant, and 3-times the price tag of a natural gas facility -- about $2.6 billion.
However, even that is not the biggest problem. There's no place to store radioactive waste.
"Even without the construction of new plants," said Martha Brand, executive director of the
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. "This problem is going to be around for a long time."
There are currently
31 states with nuclear reactors and many store the waste on site, including Minnesota.
There hasn't been a nuclear reactor built in the
United States since 1977, but now the federal government is considering approval for as many as 26 new reactors.
And a couple of them could be completed as soon as 2015.
That's Reality Check.
To check the resources for this Reality Check click on the links below.
Minnesota Senate Repeals Nuclear Power Moratorium
U.S. rethinks nuclear power
Nuclear power inches back into energy spotlight
Licensing New Nuclear Power Plants
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
States with Commercial Nuclear Industries
Maps of Nuclear Power Reactors: United States
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