[NukeNet] AEP Not Interested in Nuclear Plants (Pursuing Coal Instead)

[Mike Ewall]

http://www.energycentral.com/centers/news/daily/article.cfm?aid=8832374

AEP Not Interested in Nuclear Plants

Sep 01 - Tulsa World

American Electric Power Co. isn't planning to build any new nuclear power
plants because delays will push operational starts to 2020, CEO Michael
Morris said Tuesday.

The first permit to build and operate a new U.S. reactor would be delayed by
a court challenge that will probably reach the Supreme Court, Morris told
reporters in Washington, D.C. Builders would also have to queue for certain
parts and face "realistic" costs of about $4,000 a kilowatt, he said.

Power producers proposing to build reactors have suggested they could be
operating by 2015 or 2016. About 20 percent of U.S. electricity is generated
by nuclear power today.

Proposals to build as many as 28 new reactors have come after Congress in
2005 offered billions in loan guarantees and tax credits to those building
new nuclear power plants. Reactors produce no greenhouse emissions, which
contribute to global warming.

[Note: the number of proposed new nuclear reactors in the U.S. is now 
up to at least 43, not 28.  The line about reactors producing no 
greenhouse emissions is also BS, since the nuclear fuel chain 
produces quite a bit... comparable to natural gas, all told.  -Mike]

"I'm not convinced we'll see a new nuclear station before probably the 2020
timeline," Morris said.

Instead of nuclear plants, Columbus, Ohio-based AEP is proposing to build
advanced coal-fired generation that would be able to capture carbon dioxide
emissions. Morris said the company's proposed coal-gasification plants will
cost about $3,500 a kilowatt to build.

AEP owns Public Service Company of Oklahoma.


Mike Ewall
Energy Justice Network
215-743-4884
catalyst at actionpa.org
http://www.energyjustice.net