Nuclear power revival

There has not been a nuclear power plant licensed since 1979 due to the radioactive releases at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant and an accident at Chernobyl. The public and federal government opinion regarding nuclear power has since changed because the nuclear power plants are operating with unprecedented reliability and economy. Nuclear has again become the focus of attention as the natural gas prices increase coupled with capacity shortages in California in 2000-2001. Sulfur dioxide produced by burning coal causes acid rain. Green house gases such as carbon dioxide and five others come from burning fossil fuel in the power plants. The amount of heat trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes global warming and serious disruptions to agriculture and other ecosystems. In December 1997, delegates from 159 countries gathered in Kyoto, Japan, and adopted a treaty that could limit the greenhouse gases. In order to reduce the greenhouse gases, the accord encouraged the fossil fuel dependent countries to develop renewable and alternative technologies. Nuclear power is an alternative technology. With the modular type construction, standardization, and one-step approval, the nuclear power can be revived. The new reactors are safer and more efficient than plants built in the past. Nuclear energy is clean, affordable and reliable and offers a potential and promise for this country and the rest of the world. The paper discusses different ways of reviving nuclear power.