The Transformation of the Nuclear Power Industry

During the 1980s and early 1990s, the nuclear power generation industry in the US was viewed by the public as a dying industry owing mainly to concerns about the safety of the nuclear units, the storage of spent nuclear fuel, transportation of nuclear materials to central locations, and the general security of the nuclear facilities. Since then, the industry has transformed itself from one perceived as a dangerous, expensive technology to that of a reliable electrical power source. It is now viewed as a positive source of power from a global warming perspective. Aggressive industry initiatives to improve plant operation and maintenance have alleviated the public fear of nuclear technology. With the public unrest quieted and the cost of non-nuclear generation on the rise, the promise of nuclear power as a safe and reliable energy source may now be realized