Nuclear power is a bargain for states
The renewal of the Cooper Nuclear Power Station license for another 20 years is just another measure of how successful nuclear power is for our region and the country (“Our opinion: Cooper license deserved,” Dec. 4).It represents a real bargain for Nebraska and Missouri. A very large fraction of the cost of nuclear electricity is in paying off the investment in building the plant. That means every extra day of production from a reactor brings down the average cost, and an additional 20 years will make for very attractive economics.Today’s nuclear plants have a phenomenal record of efficiency, with operating costs equal to or lower than even those of coal. And as you noted, the Cooper station is no exception. Of the 104 reactors in the U.S., 50 have already received NRC approval for license extensions and Cooper makes 51.The next step for nuclear power is to start building the next generation of plants. Twenty years is just around the corner for utility planning purposes and we need to be ready for economic growth which will result in a need for more power.
William H. Miller,professor,
Missouri University Research Reactor,
University of Missouri,Columbia, Mo.
