Prospects for nuclear power in the USA

Abstract

This chapter discusses the prospects for the development of nuclear power in the United States. The United States has by far the largest nuclear power program of any nation in the world, that is, 55,000 MW of nuclear capacity, representing 10% of total electric generation capacity, were in operation in the USA by the end of 1980. During the late 1970s, publicly owned power producing agencies were able to precede with their nuclear construction plans in circumstances where the U.S. investor-owned electric utilities were forced to cut back. When both Diablo Canyon units are fully operational, the 2200 MW nuclear power plant will benefit the California economy through helping to stabilize future electricity prices in an inflationary period and to assure adequate electric power supplies for Northern and Central California during the 1980s. The nuclear power has an important and potentially expanding role to play in the U.S. energy arena. The nuclear power programmes round the world have been developed on a basis that is largely co-operative and interdependent.