Nuclear Power and Pre-Tax Electricity Rates

Nuclear proponents have often pointed to the low electricity prices in France as evidence that high reliance on nuclear power keeps electricity prices low. But by comparing

pre-tax electricity rates, that claim is dispelled. According to the May/June issue of

World Watch Magazine, the three European countries with the lowest pre-tax electricity rates—Denmark, Greece, and the Netherlands—are countries with no nuclear power plants. These countries pay 5.4, 6.5, and 8.6 ECU (European Currency Units) per 100 kWh, respectively, before taxes (equivalent to 4.4, 5.3, and 7.0¢/kWh). France, by comparison has pre-tax electricity rates of 9.9 ECU/100 kWh (8.0¢/kWh)—right in the middle of European countries. Italy, with no nuclear power, has the highest pre-tax electricity rates: 14.4 ECU/100 kWh (11.7¢/kWh).