Nuclear Power Is Heating Up Again

Interest in adding new nuclear power plants to U.S. electric generation capacity has gained considerable momentum in the past year. The last nuclear plant was ordered more than 30 years ago, in 1973. But several factors have combined to generate a clear resurgence of interest in adding new nuclear capacity. Interest ranges across an array of political and industrial constituents, sparked in large measure by:

• Supportive federal and state legislation;
• Concern over the reliability and capacity of rail transportation infrastructure and carbon dioxide emissions related to coal, which fuels about 50% of the country’s power generation;
• An increased dependence on natural gas [which fuels about 20%] and its volatile prices; and
• Appeal of operating economics.

Business Week