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Renowned economist William Nordhaus has developed many innovative approaches for analyzing complex environmental questions. He applies them here to the possible phaseout of nuclear power in Sweden, and the book is a major contribution to that debate. Its value extends beyond that issue, however, to the careful consideration of environmental and energy questions that industrialized nations and developing regions now face.In Sweden, a 1980 advisory referendum called for phasing out nuclear power. Parliament declared that existing nuclear reactors should be phased out by 2010. Numerous developments since 1980 -- technological, environmental, economic, and political -- necessitate a fresh look at the referendum. Should the Swedes reconsider the phaseout in light of new information or circumstances?Nordhaus discusses and models the impact of new factors such as possible deregulation of electricity generation, efforts to address global climate change, and the decline of Sweden's economic growth and the rethinking of its welfare state. What are the costs and benefits to eliminating nuclear power? What are the economic ramifications of various energy and environmental options? Is a phaseout the most prudent approach? The Swedish Nuclear Dilemma casts these important questions in a new light, and it sets the stage for more informed analysis of similarly difficult issues.
List of contents
Foreword
Paul R. Portney
Preface
Part I: Background
1. Introduction: The Swedish Dilemma
The Scope of the Study
2. Historical Background
A Brief Sketch of the Swedish Economy
The Swedish Electricity System
The Swedish Energy System in International Context
3. Issues To Be Considered
The Nuclear Debate and the Nuclear Referendum
The Interparty Agreement of 1991
Climate Change Policy
Deregulating the Electricity Market
Part II: Options and Impacts
4. Building Blocks
Supply and Demand Situations in 1990 and 2010
Impacts of Supply Reductions
5. The Swedish Energy and Environmental Policy (SEEP) Model
The Structure of the Model
Baseline Simulations
6. Nuclear Matters
Economic Aspects of Swedish Nuclear Power
The Tail End of the Nuclear Cycle
Safety of Nuclear Power
Estimates of External costs from Different Fuel Cycles
Costs of Additional Capacity in Different Fuel Cycles
7. Alternative Scenarios for Nuclear Power
Sources of Replacement Power
Major Options
Sensitivity Analyses
Electricity Prices
Impacts by Industry
Part III: The Future of Nuclear Power in Sweden
8. Resolving the Swedish Dilemma
Index
About the author
William D. Nordhaus is A. Whitney Griswold Professor of Economics at Yale University and the author of several books, including Managing the Global Commons. He is also coauthor with Paul Samuelson of Economics, entering its 16th edition.
Summary
Applying the complex environmental questions to the possible phaseout of nuclear power in Sweden, this book considers the environmental and energy questions that industrialized nations and developing regions face. It is suitable for those interested in nuclear-power issues and climate change.
