>>12425802>Why could reactors be built in the 60s and 70s but never after?most economists actually say it was mainly due to the deregulation of natural gas production and then the electricity sector that really killed the nuclear industry. Regulations favored huge power companies slowly building huge power plants in the 60s and 70s
This all changed in the 80s when natural gas production was deregulated and prices fell off a cliff. Nuclear power just couldn't compete in any meaningful capacity and projects got canceled.
This changed a little with Obama Era clean energy policy, but all the projects have been financial disasters years late and billions over budget, so literally no one is willing to light their money on fire investing in nuclear, and even existing plants rely on subsidies to stay open.
>How many billions do you think is an appropriate cost for the permitting process? A few hundred million seems sufficient, especially considering how much work goes into making sure plants are safe, and the nuclear industries poor track record of self regulation. Of course this shouldn't include any costs related to pre funding decommissioning and waste disposal. I think we can agree the taxpayer shouldn't be the one to pay for it if the plant goes bankrupt.
>Why is China able to build reactors in 3 to 4 years?state owned power companies are great because there's no competition. Especially considering China has been very interested in upgrading their nuclear arsenal with reprocessed plutonium
