SYDNEY, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- An Australian government inquiry has found that 25 nuclear reactors could supply one-third of the nation's electricity needs by 2050.
The report, commissioned by Prime Minister John Howard, said the reactors would cost about $2.3 billion each.
But, the report declared, nuclear power would not be a viable economic alternative to fossil fuel unless existing electricity producers were made to pay for their greenhouse gas emissions.
The nuclear review came amid the debate in Australia on some form of price on coal pollution in the efforts to fight climate change.
Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane, meanwhile, warned consumers they can expect a major increase in their utilities bill if nuclear power or clean coal technologies are adopted.
He told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. the changes will "see the cost of electricity rise by perhaps as much as 20 to 30 percent."
