Rethinking the next generation of nuclear power plants [Forum]

It is almost impossible to conceive of a modern industrial society three decades from now without significantly greater reliance on nuclear energy as a base source for the generation of electricity. Yet the potential for that occurring seems to become dimmer and dimmer. Theories abound as to the source of the dichotomy and the ways to remove it. They range from greater efforts to educate a supposedly ignorant public, to starting over with a completely different reactor system. Correctly or not, a broad negative judgment has been rendered of the safety implications of present generation reactor plants. What we all need - not just the utilities - is something we can demonstrate is "better" than we have. What I believe the utilities need for the next generation of power reactors - indeed all the nuclear industry needs - is a commitment to improved safety through markedly different, more conservative, simpler design engineering based on different nuclear engineering principles. That can be done.