A cost/benefit analysis has been used in an attempt to place the societal costs associated with nuclear power into perspective by comparing them with the costs associated with coal-fired plants. Generation of electricity from coal is assumed to represent an acceptable risk in our society. The results of this qualitative evaluation indicate that nuclear power compares favorably with coal for the following costs: resource depletion, environmental insult, cost of power generation, voluntary occupational health risks, and involuntary public health risks associated with routine plant operation. Plant accidents, waste disposal techniques for both nuclear and coal-fired stations, and the nuclear safeguards issue are identified as the major areas requiring further risk evaluation.