By Tom Marcinko
Phoenix Business Journal
After decades of economic doldrums, the U.S. nuclear industry is making a comeback.
Until recently, the last license for a U.S. reactor was issued in 1978. But in February, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensed two reactors in Georgia. Five plants are under construction in the U.S., said Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides, a workforce specialists with the Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute. Another 20 license applications are being drafted.
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating facility, however, likely will remain Arizona’s only one for some time, said plant spokesman Mark Fallon.
“We do not have any plans to build additional nuclear facilities at this time,” he said. “But it is certainly one of the options in the future, not just for us, but also for utilities around the country. When you look at the various technologies that are available, certainly nuclear is a viable option.”
Also: Britain on the ‘Cusp of an Energy Renaissance’
