Comments on: Kansas electric rates increase because of wind power generation http://wichitaliberty.org/kansas-government/kansas-electric-rates-increase-because-wind-power-generation/ Individual liberty, limited government, and free markets in Wichita and Kansas Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:47:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Rothbard http://wichitaliberty.org/kansas-government/kansas-electric-rates-increase-because-wind-power-generation/comment-page-1/#comment-1908 Rothbard Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:06:36 +0000 http://wichitaliberty.org/?p=1120#comment-1908 Westar probably is getting squeezed some even with the fuel surcharge that is now part of their billing. The cost of many of their raw inputs have risen dramatically over the last few years. Uranium is up from its $6-7/lb bottom to around $64 currently. Natural gas which was $2-3 around the turn of the century is now in the $7-8 range and has been much higher recently. Everyone knows about oil. Appalachian coal (eastern) has risen sharply also. Coal sourced from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming/Montana is probably the best value in energy. Too bad the wackos won't let more coal plants be built that can source PRB coal. A new nuclear plant would also be a good option for additional generating capacity. Even though uranium has risen 10-fold, the uranium itself is a relatively small part of the costs of a nuclear plant. Westar probably is getting squeezed some even with the fuel surcharge that is now part of their billing. The cost of many of their raw inputs have risen dramatically over the last few years.

Uranium is up from its $6-7/lb bottom to around $64 currently. Natural gas which was $2-3 around the turn of the century is now in the $7-8 range and has been much higher recently. Everyone knows about oil.

Appalachian coal (eastern) has risen sharply also. Coal sourced from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming/Montana is probably the best value in energy. Too bad the wackos won’t let more coal plants be built that can source PRB coal.

A new nuclear plant would also be a good option for additional generating capacity. Even though uranium has risen 10-fold, the uranium itself is a relatively small part of the costs of a nuclear plant.

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