Are light water reactors the solution

Although long-term energy needs look to the breeder reactor (LMFBR) programs, ERDA-sponsored short-term programs are also directed to improving the productivity of the light water reactor (LWR). Specific efforts are aimed at shortening the downtime needed to reload fuels and maintain plants, improving the diagnosis of operating performance, and shortening the time needed for plant decontamination and construction. Mr. Strauch feels that LER's will continue to be economical, safe, and reliable for generating electricity in the next century if the fast breeder can provide much of their fissile materials. Comparisons with fossil-fuel plants (primarily coal-fired) show that nuclear plant average unit costs are slightly higher for operation, maintenance, supplies, and fixed costs, but significantly lower for fuel, production, and generating costs. The price of uranium, however, will increase in the next five years from $10 to $30 or $40 per pound. Analysis of projected costs, assuming a 500,000 megawatt capacity, indicates that without the introduction of the LMFBR costs for LWR power will increase dramatically as uranium resources are depleted. It is expected that by 2025, according to Mr. Strauch LMFBR plants will generate enough plutonium for all new plants as well as all LWR plants, with electricity generating costs about 30 percent of today's modern coal-fired plant