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Weighing the financial risks of nuclear power plants

Power companies are rushing to invest in new nuclear reactors, largely because of promised government subsidies that make the investment seem as good as investments in other types of energy. A new study from UC Berkeley, LBNL and Georgetown researchers warns, however, that unexpected costs have often arisen in past nuclear plant construction, increasing electricity costs. Because new plants will use untested technologies, such cost surprises could happen again, making nuclear power less attractive financially.

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