Part of the Government Series, Energy, from TheCapitol.Net
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of
Nuclear Energy, nuclear energy provides about 20 percent of U.S.
electricity through the operation of 104 nuclear reactors. Combined
construction and operating license applications have been submitted
for 28 new U.S. nuclear power plants, with eight more expected.
Nuclear power started coming online in significant amounts in
the late 1960s. By 1975, in the midst of the oil crisis, nuclear
power was supplying 9 percent of total electricity generation.
Increases in capital costs, construction delays, and public
opposition to nuclear power following the Three Mile Island
accident in 1979 curtailed expansion of the technology, and many
construction projects were canceled. Continuation of some
construction increased the nuclear share of generation to 20
percent in 1990, where it remains currently.
Nuclear power is now receiving renewed interest, prompted by
volatile fossil fuel prices, possible carbon dioxide controls, and
new federal subsidies and incentives. The 2005 Energy Policy Act
(P.L. 109-58) authorized streamlined licensing that combines
construction and operating permits, and tax credits for production
from advanced nuclear power facilities.
All U.S. nuclear plants are currently light water reactors
(LWRs), which are cooled by ordinary water. DOE's nuclear energy
research and development program includes advanced reactors, fuel
cycle technology and facilities, and infrastructure support. DOE's
Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative is developing
advanced reactor technologies that could be safer than LWRs and
produce high-temperature heat to make hydrogen. The Nuclear Power
2010 program is a government-industry, 50-50 cost-shared
initiative. It focuses on deploying Generation III+ advanced
light-water reactor designs, and is managed by DOE's Office of
Nuclear Energy.
Congress designated Yucca Mountain, NV as the nation's sole
candidate site for a permanent high-level nuclear waste repository
in 1987 amid much controversy. To date no nuclear waste has been
transported to Yucca Mountain. In March 2010, the Secretary of
Energy filed to withdraw its application for a nuclear-waste
repository at Yucca Mountain.
Current law provides no alternative repository site to Yucca
Mountain, and it does not authorize the DOE to open temporary
storage facilities without a permanent repository in operation.
Without congressional action, the default alternative to Yucca
Mountain would be indefinite on-site storage of nuclear waste at
reactor sites and other nuclear facilities. Private central storage
facilities can also be licensed under current law. Such a facility
has been licensed in Utah, but its operation has been blocked by
the Department of the Interior.
Nuclear energy issues facing Congress include federal incentives
for new commercial reactors, radioactive waste management policy,
research and development priorities, power plant safety and
regulation, nuclear weapons proliferation, and security against
terrorist attacks.
37 Chapters
Ch. 38, Other Resources From TheCapitol.Net
Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to
Congress, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider, ISBN:
1587330970
Live Training, www.CapitolHillTraining.com
Congress In A Nutshell: Understanding Congress
www.CongressInANutshell.com
Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process
www.LegislativeProcess.com
Capitol Hill Workshop
www.CapitolHillWorkshop.com
Advanced Federal Budget Process
www.BudgetProcess.com
Ch. 39, Other Resources
Complete Table of Contents at www.TCNNuclear.com
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