Illustrative Comparison of One Utility's Coal and Nuclear Choices

Abstract

The technology choices facing an individual utility are complex decision problems. The paper illustrates a method designed to assist an individual utility company in making these choices in a logically consistent manner. The resulting evaluation model, based on the principles of decision analysis, explicitly addresses the complexity to provide a basis for decision making and support for defending the decision before reviewers. The model, which incorporates economic, environmental, social, safety, and regulatory effects, is demonstrated using a coal/nuclear choice which may be faced by Utah Power and Light Company in the near future. This analysis is meant to be illustrative; more effort would be needed to gather information to support a policy decision.