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Nuclear

A nuclear power plant generates electricity in much the same way a fossil fuel plant does. A water boiler produces steam that spins a turbine, which in turn generates electricity. The major difference is the fuel type. Instead of burning coal, natural gas, or oil to boil the water in order to create the steam, nuclear energy uses a process called “fission,” using enriched uranium for fuel [1, 2].

“The development of nuclear power was thought by many to be the panacea for solving the energy crisis” [3]. In the US, the federal government granted itself a monopoly over nuclear power with the passage of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 spurred interest in the nuclear industry by allowing private firms to own reactors but mandated that government owned all nuclear fuel [3]. However, private firms did not take interest in nuclear power until after the 1957 Price-Anderson Act, which limited the liability from a nuclear accident of an individual company and provided governmental subsidies to cover damage above the liability limits [3]. The first commercial power-generating reactor was built in Shippingport, Pennsylvania. It started generating electricity in December of 1957 with 60 MW of power [1].

Nuclear power saw particularly strong growth following the 1973 energy crisis, which provided the industry with an opportunity to promote their program as an alternative to oil [3]. Indeed, nuclear power reached its zenith in the mid 1970s when the US nuclear fleet topped out at 109 reactors [1]. However, due to a fivefold increase in the cost of oil, electricity demand dropped considerably in the mid to late 1970s. This shift, coupled with economic uncertainties regarding the cost of nuclear electricity, a variety of public relations problems, and the negative reputation earned from the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island nuclear accidents, nuclear power lost popularity and financial credibility, facing imminent decline [1, 3].

Only two new nuclear power plants have been built in the United States in the last 15 years: the Comanche Peak 2 in 1993, and Watts Bar-1 in 1996. At the end of 2002, there were 104 nuclear reactor units connected to the US electricity grid and 435 reactors around the world [2, 4]. The plants located in the US produced an aggregate net generating capacity of approximately 98,000 MW, representing about 27% of total world nuclear capacity and 20% of US total electricity output in 2002 [5]. Worldwide, nuclear power provides 16% of the electricity supply [2].

Despite the fact that no new nuclear plants have come online in the US in the last 15 years, nuclear generation has maintained its 20% share of total US generation because plant operators have improved the utilization of their plants and made incremental increases to the capacity of the units [4]. As a result of plant modifications, improved operating and maintenance practices, and more attention to training of nuclear plant personnel, average capacity for the nuclear industry has surpassed 70% in recent years, up about 16% from 1980 [1].

Today there are several types of nuclear reactors in operation including light water reactors, boiling water reactors, pressurized water reactors [1]. For technical information on nuclear reactors, see the US NRC nuclear reactor quick links.

Nuclear energy is competitive with other sources of electricity, with average production costs – including fuel – only marginally more expensive than coal and less expensive than natural gas [1]. However, when the full cost of plant construction is factored into electricity cost, nuclear energy often comes out considerably more expensive than alternatives.

Nuclear power has become an essential component of the US electricity supply [6]. Nuclear power contributes and enhances the diversity of the electricity supply and thus many experts argue that plants should continue to be re-licensed, maintained, and research and development should be aimed at safely extending the life of existing power plants [6].

The World Energy Council predicts that by 2015 there will be only 101 reactors connected to the US grid [5]. However, other sources predict there will be a comeback in nuclear power in the coming decades. The Edison Electric Institute argues that “new baseload nuclear generating capacity is needed to support the National Energy Policy (NEP) objectives of enhancing US energy supply diversity and energy security” and identifies multiple future design models and improvements that they predict will be deployed between 2010 and 2030 [2].