The Nuclear Energy Institute, the industry’s main lobbying arm, is reportedly requesting a 30 percent tax credit for existing reactors as part of coronavirus aid. This is the same demand that the nuclear made repeatedly last fall, well before the coronavirus. A recent independent analysis indicated that the proposal would cost the treasury $23 billion in lost revenue. Separately, the indirect cost to ratepayers would be $33 billion over 20 years, as regular consumers shoulder the burden of aging, uneconomic reactors. This proposal was previously opposed by over 60 environmental groups.
Demanding a $23 billion gift from taxpayers during an unprecedented public health crisis sets a new low bar. The nuclear industry begged for a bailout last fall and is now using coronavirus to try and brazenly grab more cash.
This is a proposal that would hurt ratepayers and the climate at a time when immediate need for people must be the first priority. The nuclear lobby should be ashamed. This is disaster capitalism at its worst.
— source Friends of the Earth | Mar 23, 2020