The Swedish nuclear dilemma

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, providing a major contribution to that debate and to the assessment of nuclear power in general.

The value of The Swedish Nuclear Dilemma extends far beyond that issue, however, to careful consideration of the difficult, multi-faceted environmental and energy questions that industrialized nations and developing regions now face.

In Sweden, a 1980 advisory referendum - primarily a response to safety concerns - called for phasing out nuclear power by 2010. Numerous developments since 1980, howevertechnological, environmental, economic, and politicalnecessitate a fresh look at the referendum. Nordhaus examines the Swedish nuclear question, deploying an innovative economic model that can be applied successfully to similarity difficult issues.

Using his Swedish Energy and Environmental Policy model, Nordhaus analyzes the impact on the nuclear issue of significant new factors, such as the possible deregulation of electricity generation and Sweden's global climate change policy. The decline of Swedish economic growth, the rethinking of its welfare state, and the limitations of other available energy sources underlie his study.

What are the costs and benefits of 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 sheds new light on these crucial questions. It also sets the stage for more informed analysis of similar complex issues in other countries where economic and environmental goals clash.