Keepin and Kats — a comment

Abstract

We consider the arguments of Keepin and Kats that nuclear power and conservation are mutually exclusive methods of reducing CO 2 emissions from coal-fired electric power generation. In contrast to their approach, we suggest that a combination of nuclear power and conservation can reduce CO 2. Nuclear power is appropriate and economic in some regions. The gradual introduction of equipment and techniques for improving the efficiency of electricity consumption will continue to be made and they will eventually reduce growth in electricity demand. Introducing about 600 GW of nuclear power in 35 years and efficiency improvements that reduce growth in world electricity demand by two-thirds (to an average of 1.5% per year) would hold CO 2 emissions from electric power production to levels similar to today's.