It has been more than 20 years since anyone has proposed a new nuclear power plant in the United States, but that may change shortly. Due to a streamlined licensing process from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and with the Department of Energy (DOE) offering to share the cost of preparing a permit, three nuclear operating companies have announced their intent to apply for an “early site permit” at existing nuclear sites.

One of these three, Entergy Nuclear, noted that it does not currently plan to build a new plant, but will study the economics three to five years from now. The company applied for a permit at its Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, in Port Gibson, MS.

— Greg Mazurkiewicz

Publication date: 06/24/2002