Energizing The Economy With Lower Energy Costs (NAPSA)—Nuclear saves America—and, power conse- quently, its taxpayers—money in a numberof ways. First, compared to other energy sources, uranium is already relatively low in cost, and it is less sensitive to fuel price increases. The averageelectricity production cost in 2000 for nuclear energy was 1.76 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to coal (1.79 cents), oil (5.28 cents) and gas (5.59 cents). Next, a little uranium goes a long way: one fuel pellet—about the size of the tip of yourlittle finger—can be used to produce as much electricity as 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, 1,780 pounds of coal or 149 gallonsofoil. Technology is playing a role by making it possible to get more energy out of existing nuclear power plants—an increase of 100 billion kilowatt-hours between 1998 and 2000 alone—and to build plants more economically. Now in development are advanced-design reactors that are faster and less expensive to build than previous reactors because they are smaller, modular, stan- dardized and prefabricated, with simplified safety systems and fuel configuration. Some of the intangibles that mayalso help ease the taxpayer’s burdeninclude: National energy security— Nuclear power is not subject to unreliable weather or climate con- Lower energy costs start with cost-effective energy sources, such as nuclear power. ditions, unpredictable cost fluctuations or dependence on foreign suppliers. Comprehensive planning and innovative management tech- niques. Since 1990, the average length of time for refueling a plant has been reduced by 59 percent. Clean air compliance. Emissions avoided by using nuclear energy reduces the compliance obligation and associated costs for affected fossil-fueled power plants, including capital outlays to bring fossil-fueled plants into compliance. Anyone can express an opinion, or learn where a legislator stands, on this or any other issue by writing to the House of Representa- tives, Washington, D.C. 20515 and the U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510.
