Nuclear Power was killed, not by the disasters at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, nor by the opposition of an increasingly aware public, nor the flaws and gaps of the technology (no waste disposal), nor the socio-political ramifications of the technology (nuclear power requires a significant national security apparatus that may be incompatible with civil liberties) but by the realization by the investment bankers that their multi-billion investment can instantly turn into a pile of radioactive garbage upon which there is no ROI.

In short, the bankers on Wall Street stopped investing in nuclear power because they saw it as a bad way to make money.

They are right. Recently Florida Power & Light, FPL, asked the regulators for permission to build 2 additional plants at the aptly named ‘Turkey Point’ facility. They forecast $18 billion for a 3 GW facility that will be completed in 10 or 12 years. Assuming no cost overruns – tough to do on a 10 or 12 year project – it will cost $6 per watt. That’s the cost of solar with zero subsidies. And Solar is easy to build. Requires no national security infrastructure, produces very few BTUs of waste heat, zero toxic wastes, zero radioactive waste, works well the day after a disaster, etc., etc.

Nuclear Power was killed, not by the disasters at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, nor by the opposition of an increasingly aware public, nor the flaws and gaps of the technology (no waste disposal), nor the socio-political ramifications of the technology (nuclear power requires a significant national security apparatus that may be incompatible with civil liberties) but by the realization by the investment bankers that their multi-billion investment can instantly turn into a pile of radioactive garbage upon which there is no ROI.

In short, the bankers on Wall Street stopped investing in nuclear power because they saw it as a bad way to make money.

They are right. Recently Florida Power & Light, FPL, asked the regulators for permission to build 2 additional plants at the aptly named ‘Turkey Point’ facility. They forecast $18 billion for a 3 GW facility that will be completed in 10 or 12 years. Assuming no cost overruns – tough to do on a 10 or 12 year project – it will cost $6 per watt. That’s the cost of solar with zero subsidies. And Solar is easy to build. Requires no national security infrastructure, produces very few BTUs of waste heat, zero toxic wastes, zero radioactive waste, works well the day after a disaster, etc., etc.

For those interested in investment prospects and the future of renewable energy, the Renewable Energy Finance Forum (REFF), being held this June in New York City, provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their views and hear commentary from industry leaders. Join investment bankers, venture capitalists, government officials, renewable energy associations, and others at this event. For more information, please visit http://www.reffwallstreet.com.

For those interested in investment prospects and the future of renewable energy, the Renewable Energy Finance Forum (REFF), being held this June in New York City, provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their views and hear commentary from industry leaders. Join investment bankers, venture capitalists, government officials, renewable energy associations, and others at this event. For more information, please visit http://www.reffwallstreet.com.