Abstract:Pushker Kharecha and James Hansen have made a contribution in their article about the benefits of nuclear power. However, issues of technology systems integration deserve added attention as well as addressing a few errors. Though there is some logic underpinning the notion that nuclear power can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions as a “stabilization wedge”, we argue that (a) its near-term potential is significantly limited compared to energy efficiency and renewable energy; (b) it displaces emissions and saves lives only at high cost and at the enhanced risk of nuclear weapons proliferation; (c) it is unsuitable for expanding access to modern energy services in developing countries; and (d) the authors’ estimates of cancer risks from exposure to radiation are flawed.