Are any more nuclear power plants being built today?
No new nuclear plants are being planned now, since it is quicker and less expensive to build gas-fired turbine plants. As long as gas is cheap, and air quality regulations do not restrict use of fossil fuels, utilities have little incentive to invest in more nuclear plants. However, existing nuclear plants have increased productivity and efficiency, making license extension of plants an attractive prospect. The first such license extension was recently granted. The purchase of efficient nuclear plants is also an attractive prospect as utilities begin to restructure to thrive in a deregulated environment. Future expansion of nuclear power is not out of the question; the industry is ready with several advanced nuclear power plant designs that will be more economical to build and even safer than existing plants. Continued and expanded operation of nuclear power plants is the most cost-effective way for the U.S. to meet the stringent requirements of the Clean Air Act.
