Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 02/2009

Nuclear Renaissance: Is It Coming? Should It?

Sharon Squassoni

October 2008

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Abstract

Despite talk of a renaissance, nuclear power will account for a declining percentage of global electricity generation without aggressive financial support and significant policy changes. Before committing to a rapid expansion of nuclear energy, the next U.S. administration must address critical questions about the feasibility and safety of nuclear expansion, and act to minimize current proliferation risks, concludes a new report by Sharon Squassoni.