Resources

Policy Challenges of Nuclear Reactor Construction: Cost Escalation and Crowding Out
A comparison of the U.S. and French experiences with nuclear reactor construction. Effectively debunks the "French miracle" mythology by showing both a historical and contemporary pattern of cost escalation and 'crowding out' of alternative energy sources in both the French and U.S. experience with nuclear reactors. Read more »
South Texas Project: Timeline of A Project in Crisis
How does a 'model nuclear project' go from done deal to dead-on-arrival? This timeline explores how the South Texas project, once hailed as the leader of the 'nuclear renaissance' was injured by skyrocketing costs, secrets, and scandal. Read more »
Nuclear Power: The Renaissance That Wasn’t
(December 2011). A factsheet detailing the various delays, cost overruns, credit downgrades and design problems since January 2008 facing the supposed ‘nuclear renaissance.’ Read more »

Federal Loan Guarantees for the Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants
The Congressional Budget Office has found that the the US Government is undercharging applicants for nuclear loan guarantees, putting taxpayers at huge risk. The fees charged to applicants by the US government are significantly lower than what would be charged in the private sector. Read more »
Economics of New Nuclear Reactors: A briefing book for members of the 112th Congress
A briefing book containing materials on the economics of nuclear reactors for members of the 112th Congress. Read more »
Is There A Nuclear Revival in the United States?
(October 2010) Michele Boyd, Physicians for Social Responsibility. This paper analyzes the potential for a nuclear revival in the US and finds that the nuclear industry is uncompetitive and will only build new reactors if they are heavily subsidized by the government. Read more »

PSR Main Points on the Blue Ribbon Commission Draft Report
In 2010, after ending the failed Yucca Mountain project, President Obama convened a commission to make recommendations for managing US high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel. The Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (BRC) has held meetings for the past year and a half, and in July completed a draft report. They are now having meetings around the country to discuss their recommendations with the public. The following main points summarize PSR's position on some of their conclusions. Read more »
Japan's Spent Fuel and Plutonium Management Challenges
(September 2006) An academic report by the International Panel on Fissile Materials on the proliferation, economic, and safety risks posed by Japan's reprocessing program. Read more »
The Safeguards at Reprocessing Plants under a Fissile Materials (Cutoff) Treaty
(February 2009) An academic report by the International Panel on Fissile Materials on the proliferation risks posed by reprocessing facilities and their management under an international fissile materials treaty. Read more »

IEER Translation of the Roussely Report
(August 2010) A translation of the scathing report issued by former French government official, Francois Roussely, on EDF, the fissures in the French nuclear industry and the dismal prospects for the EPR reactor design. Read more »
Nuclear Information in France-As Transparent As Mud
International Network of Engineers and Scientists Against Proliferation (April, 2008). Mycle Schneider, International Consultant on Energy and Nuclear Policy. A citation of the extreme control and secrecy governing civilian nuclear power in France. Read more »
France’s Nuclear Conundrum: Atomic World Champ on the Ropes
Spiegel International (August 11, 2008) by Holger Dambeck. A discussion of recent nuclear accidents at Tricastin in France and their effect on French public opinion. Read more »

The Safeguards at Reprocessing Plants under a Fissile Materials (Cutoff) Treaty
(February 2009) An academic report by the International Panel on Fissile Materials on the proliferation risks posed by reprocessing facilities and their management under an international fissile materials treaty. Read more »
Fast Breeder Reactor Programs: History and Status
(February 2010) an academic report by the International Panel on Fissile materials on the historic problems with fast breeder reactor programs. Read more »
Falling Behind: International Scrutiny of the Peaceful Atom
Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (September, 2007). Henry Sokolski, Executive Director, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. A review of the difficulties facing the IAEA in terms of regulating fissile material in the context of global nuclear expansion with specific prescriptions for remedying proliferation concerns. Read more »

Uranium: Its Uses and Hazards
Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (July, 2005). A brief, scientific factsheet about uranium and its hazards. Read more »
Poison Wind (film clip)
(2007) A documentary clip that shows the degradation caused by uranium mining on the communities, environments, and health of indigenous people in the American Southwest. Read more »
Report: Grand Canyon Threatened by Approval of Uranium Mining Activities
Environmental Working Group (January 29, 2008). This study finds that Forest Service permits to allow uranium mining near the Grand Canyon would pose serious threats to the ecosystem of this national treasure. Read more »

PSR Main Points on the Blue Ribbon Commission Draft Report
In 2010, after ending the failed Yucca Mountain project, President Obama convened a commission to make recommendations for managing US high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel. The Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (BRC) has held meetings for the past year and a half, and in July completed a draft report. They are now having meetings around the country to discuss their recommendations with the public. The following main points summarize PSR's position on some of their conclusions. Read more »
Spent Nuclear Fuel Pools in the US: Reducing the Deadly Risks of Storage
A report by Dr. Robert Alvarez of the Institute for Policy Studies detailing the threat of a catastrophic release of radioactive materials from a spent fuel pool in the United States, which are typically filled with far more radioactive material than the reactors at Fukushima-Daiichi. Read more »
Letter to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Centralized Interim Storage
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PSR Main Points on the Blue Ribbon Commission Draft Report
In 2010, after ending the failed Yucca Mountain project, President Obama convened a commission to make recommendations for managing US high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel. The Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (BRC) has held meetings for the past year and a half, and in July completed a draft report. They are now having meetings around the country to discuss their recommendations with the public. The following main points summarize PSR's position on some of their conclusions. Read more »
Lessons from Fukushima and Chernobyl for US Public Health Briefing Book
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Evacuation Zones for Nuclear Reactors
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