http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/usa.html
Found that site this morning while having a discussion with a friend of mine on the ramifications of increased energy costs. Basically, he's a non believer, stating that the vast cost of nuclear power plants is found in government regulations which could and would be lifted in the event that things got really bad. He contends that plants could be created for less than 20% of their current costs, and in less than 1/5th the amount of time.
He agree's that it would take something "very bad" to affect Joe American before we could start the process, and says also that the lag would be 15-20 years to convert, but that once the process got rolling, whole new industries would be created, helping to soften the blow of the flip. Also, because oil wouldnt suddenly dissappear, the affects would be softened even more.
He gave me that site at the top as a backup to his arguement.
At the end, we both agree'd that a shortage of cheap energy would cause issues. He just feels that there are far too many variables in the world to be able to make any kind of judgement one way or the other. I reffered him to some of the peak oil primers, and left him on his own. We'll have to see if he changes his mind in the future, or if some world event might convince him of my viewpoint.