Hidden costs


Among other barriers to the wider expansion of bioenergy technologies is that the markets do not acknowledge various costs and risks connected with the usage of fossil and nuclear fuels. Oil shipping accidents, such as the Exxon Valdez disaster (US$ 2.2 billion clean-up costs), cause devastating and long lasting effects on the environment.
Nuclear accidents such as Three Mile Island (US$ 1 billion medical and clean-up costs) and Chernobyl still leave questions as to the effects on future generations. The costs of maintaining channels to fossil fuel sources through military means should also be taken into consideration when promoting increased use of biomass fuels.

The number 4 reactor at Chernobyl has been entombed in concrete to keep the contamination inside the building. Photo courtesy of Planetark.Org		Oil field fire		Valdez-based seafood processors picket Exxon's Headquarters protesting a shortage of work due to the Exxon Valdez oil spill