Whereas the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for coal is $33
to $41 per MWh and $35 to $45 per MWh for natural gas-fired
production, new nuclear plants would have costs of $31 to $46
per MWh once early plant costs are absorbed, according to the
report. Currently, nuclear power accounts for 20 percent of the
nation's energy mix, second to coal at 50 percent. Natural gas
is third at 17 percent. The LCOE is the amount invested to cover
operating costs plus annualized capital costs of operating a
generating facility. "This study shows that nuclear power can be
a competitive source of energy production in the future and will
help meet our environmental goals," said Deputy Energy Secretary
Kyle McSlarrow. "We appreciate the University of Chicago's
exhaustive analyses." Expansion of nuclear power in the United
States is a major objective of the Bush administration's
National Energy Policy. The study notes that the principal
economic barrier to nuclear power will be the ability to address
the elevated costs assoc