The Realities of Nuclear Power

Originally published in 1988, this book analyses the position of nuclear power. Much of public concern about nuclear power is focused on issues of safety. Whilst clearly of great important, the related questions of economic and technological performance of nuclear power also need to be addressed. This book sets out to explore the realities of nuclear power using as its basis the detailed and exhaustive evaluation of the programmes in the USA, Canada, France and the Federal Republic of Germany. Earlier international comparative analyses identified large, consistent differences between countries (and sometimes within countries) in the performance of nuclear power. These differences cannot be satisfactorily explained in terms of simple variables such as the type, size or maker of the reactors involved. One possible explanation lies in the institutional structure surrounding nuclear power, including utilities, the vendors and economic safety regulations, which vary widely. It is this particular thesis that this book sets out to test. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in nuclear power and its organisation.