Pros and cons of underground siting

Constructing a nuclear power plant underground may incur these disadvantages: The capital cost may rise by some 25%, and the construction schedule may increase by up to 18 months. Some advantages are the following: Appropriately designed underground space provides it own enclosure and obviates the elaborte structures necessary at the surface; underground space is well insulated against heat, fire, cold, vibration, and noise; facilities underground can be designed to use the third (vertical) dimension with no major cost penalty; and locating facilities underground reduces demand on surface space and provides additional isolation from the surface environment. 3 refs