I predict that there will be new nuclear power plants built in the Unites States even though none have been started since before the accident at Three Mile Island.
How soon? Almost certainly within the next 10 years, there will be several under construction, possibly one or more on line, providing power to the national electric grid.
Currently, there are 12 new nuclear reactor construction applications before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with more likely to be on the way — so many, that the NRC will be faced with increasing staff to be able to review and evaluate the applications, after many years of staff reductions.
Why is this occurring?
Demand for electricity continues to soar, the price of natural gas has quadrupled — the United States get 24% of its electric power from gas powered generating plants— and Congress has approved significant incentives for new nuclear plants. As well, surveys of Americans indicate that over half believe that nuclear power plants should be built, though the majority would not want one built near their homes.
More information concerning the prospects of nuclear power can be found in The New Nuclear Thing published 2/3/2006 on TheStreet.com
Post from one of my abandoned blogs – North Farnham Freeholder – recovered from Internet Archive WayBackMachine March 2011
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