(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-11-16)
Sjoden, Glenn; Axelrod, Howard; Debs, Brian
The Energy Information Administration states that "nuclear power plants generate approximately 20 percent of U.S. electricity (23 percent for Georgia), and the plants in operation today are often seen as attractive assets in the current environment of uncertainty about future fossil fuel prices, high construction costs for new power plants (particularly nuclear plants), and the potential enactment of GHG regulations." For almost 30 years, no new commercial nuclear plants have been developed in the US. In recent years, interest has been rekindled in this generation source because of the age of existing nuclear power plants and projected demand for power. However, the March 2011 earthquake that hit Japan and damaged several reactors has caused a careful examination of nuclear power plant design and deployment.