Nuclear economic importance

The proposed classification of losses can become the basis for a matrix of allowable specific values of karst risk R for practical purposes. A 64-cell matrix was developed on the basis of the presented classification of damage types. Each cell represents a certain value of allowable specific karst sinkhole risk corresponding to a certain type of predicted scenarios. Although the present paper does not include a sample matrix, obviously, it covers a wide range of R values which vary from 10 (scenario AI-Ba-Cl —for example, destruction of a small one-storey building of a minor economic importance) to O.STO" (scenario AIV-Bd-C4 — for example, destruction of some hazardous structures or facilities on the territory of a nuclear power station). 

Concrete makes up by far the largest inventory of potentially contaminated or activated material at commercial nuclear power stations. Although not as economically important as steel or other metals, there exists the potential to recycle some contaminated concrete, which can be used as aggregate in making new concrete for construction. It is estimated that there are about 180 000 t of... 

Trends in commercial fuel, eg, fossd fuel, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, production and consumption in the United States and in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, are shown in Tables 2 and 3. These trends indicate (6,13) (/) a significant resurgence in the production and use of coal throughout the U.S. economy (2) a continued decline in the domestic U.S. production of cmde oil and natural gas lea ding to increased imports of these hydrocarbons (qv) and (J) a continued trend of energy conservation, expressed in terms of energy consumed per... 

The idea behind energy independence is that if all energy production occurs within a country s borders, then that country s economy will be insulated from any energy supply disruptions. The country would then have less unemployment and less economic decline if and when the world s energy exporters, especially OPEC members, cut their supplies. France, has developed a strong nuclear power industry so that it would not have to import as much oil... 

In addition, nuclear utilities in the United States are also extending plant operating lives. Baltimore Gas and Electric is seeking an extension of the license for its Calvert Cliffs facility -the news out of the NRC is favorable - and Duke Power has submitted an application for the license renewal of its Oconee plant. Extension of the licenses of such economically-competitive plants can make an important contribution to meeting our environmental goals. 

In evaluating options for obtaining the energy needed to sustain world economic progress in the coming years, it is important to consider the full spectrum of risks to the environment and to human health that each option may create or reduce. This is particularly important in evaluating nuclear power, where often attention has been disproportionately focussed on the presumed dangers. 

Where does nonproliferation stand in the myriad of institutional, regulatory, public acceptance, economic and, at times, even technical problems now affecting the future of the nuclear option Is the potential contribution of nuclear power activities to further proliferation seen by policy makers and, of equal importance, the public as a significant obstacle to its revival Or is it viewed as a potential benefit capable of reducing proliferation risks. 

Elements with extremely low abundance can also be important economically if they are sources of nuclear energy, because the energy yield from nuclear processes is a million times greater than from chemical processes. 

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