Ready for New Nuclear

ECA released the third edition of a Community Handbook on Nuclear Energy to assist local communities in identifying and understanding the myriad issues associated with potentially hosting a facility dedicated to nuclear power production, manufacturing, defense, storage or disposal.  

This Handbook highlights the basic knowledge necessary for realistic discussions to develop local community strategies and describes the changes in today’s American nuclear industry that shape the economics of existing and future nuclear technologies.

Nuclear 101

Local governments that are or may become hosts to nuclear facilities must be included throughout the entire decision-making process. In some cases, the local government is both the utility purchaser and the host. In others, the local government of the region is the host. This section offers an overview of the everyday uses of nuclear science, options for fission and fusion energy, and the basic principles of how existing nuclear power plants work. Basic information allows local officials to ensure coordination with their state and federal counterparts and to maximize positive outcomes.

Radiation Basics

Safety and security concerns related to hosting a nuclear facility typically focus on concerns about radiation. Local officials need to ensure they address risk in education and outreach programs, as perception and reality need to align for a community.

 Heightened perception of radiation risk could be one of the most significant challenges — along with the economic environment — for the industry and local or state governments interested in hosting new nuclear facilities to overcome.

Growth

The Nuclear Industry is growing. Some of the most significant discussions for a community are focused on implementing an effective siting process for new nuclear facilities. The Administration and Congress recognize that the chance for success is greater for a nuclear project if the process allows “affected communities to decide whether, and on what terms, the affected communities will host a nuclear waste facility.”

New and existing energy communities have an opportunity to affect how their roles will be defined and under what conditions. This Handbook should be viewed by communities as a starting point for public discussions about the local desire and consent to host nuclear power facilities. Recognizing that each community, whether as a power purchaser, a host, a provider of services, or otherwise will bring its own input into the process of siting.

History

Agencies that influence today’s nuclear power sector continue to evolve. Local officials will benefit from understanding some of the reasons why the U.S. has only completed a few new nuclear projects in the last three decades.

Today’s nuclear resurgence must address the questions of economics, political support, nuclear waste management and the federal budget outlook which have historically restricted new nuclear development. The political stalemate over the future of Yucca Mountain and subsequent court cases over fee adequacy and the Nuclear Waste Fund also will have a significant impact on when and how new nuclear facilities will be developed.

Economics

This section explores the economics related to building nuclear power plants and explains some of the reasons why the U.S. has only completed a few new nuclear projects in the last three decades. Elected officials possess many tools to facilitate risk reduction strategies and creative financing options to support new projects as economic drivers in their communities. Understanding the underlying market dynamics can help shape creative solutions, especially where the community will be purchasing power from the facility. 

Commercial Operation

Understanding how nuclear plants make money means understanding market dynamics in the electricity sector. America's electricity sector is divided into two electricity markets and those influence commercial operation of power plants.

Beyond Electricity

The value of new nuclear extends beyond electricity. Emerging nuclear technologies are poised to provide novel economic benefits. New designs introduce new uses for nuclear reactors including saltwater desalination, industrial process heat, and district heating for homes and other buildings. Some industrial sectors are especially difficult to decarbonize, so these new applications present enormous economic opportunities.

Reactor Types

This chapter catalogs the wide range of nuclear power technologies and the diverse ways they are categorized by policy makers, nuclear developers, utilities and advocates. Local officials should understand the different types of nuclear reactors in today’s market because reactor design directly affects community impacts, safety considerations, and economic opportunities. This information informs decision making with strategic questions to pose to developers, state and federal policy makers and partners.

Resources

Relevant Nuclear Organizations and a list of abbreviations.