Renowned economist William Nordhaus has developed many innovative approaches for analyzing complex environmental questions. He applies them to the possible phaseout of nuclear power in Sweden in The Swedish Nuclear Dilemma: Energy and the Environment. While making a major contribution to that debate, this book has value that extends well beyond the Swedish issue, to the careful and well-informed consideration of environmental and energy questions that industrialized nations and developing regions now face. It is essential for anyone interested in nuclear-power issues and climate change. The Swedish parliament has moved closer to eliminating nuclear energy, even while repeating commitments to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions associated with fossil fuels. Nordhaus's Swedish Energy and Environmental Policy (SEEP) model quantifies the economic results of such a path. He analyzes the impact of factors such as deregulation of electricity generation, global climate-change policies, the decline of Sweden's economic growth, and the rethinking of its welfare state. He also sets the stage for more informed analysis of similarly difficult issues where economic and environmental goals clash.

ForewordPaul R. PortneyPrefacePart I: Background1. Introduction: The Swedish DilemmaThe Scope of the Study2. Historical BackgroundA Brief Sketch of the Swedish EconomyThe Swedish Electricity SystemThe Swedish Energy System in International Context3. Issues To Be ConsideredThe Nuclear Debate and the Nuclear ReferendumThe Interparty Agreement of 1991Climate Change PolicyDeregulating the Electricity MarketPart II: Options and Impacts4. Building BlocksSupply and Demand Situations in 1990 and 2010Impacts of Supply Reductions5. The Swedish Energy and Environmental Policy (SEEP) ModelThe Structure of the ModelBaseline Simulations6. Nuclear MattersEconomic Aspects of Swedish Nuclear PowerThe Tail End of the Nuclear CycleSafety of Nuclear PowerEstimates of External costs from Different Fuel CyclesCosts of Additional Capacity in Different Fuel Cycles7. Alternative Scenarios for Nuclear PowerSources of Replacement PowerMajor OptionsSensitivity AnalysesElectricity PricesImpacts by IndustryPart III: The Future of Nuclear Power in Sweden8. Resolving the Swedish DilemmaIndex