Effect of Nuclear Power Plants on Local Crop Yields

Abstract The growing prevalence of clean energy raises the question possible associated externalities. This article studies effects nuclear power plant development (and, as a result, increased amount water in atmosphere from evaporative cooling systems) on nearby crop yields and finds that an average increases local soybean by 2 corn 1 percent. Considering low elasticity demand for these crops, yield translate to annual net benefits $229 million (2020 US dollars) – $317 losses farmers $546 consumers.