Study of nuclear power plant construction in the United States. Master's thesis

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:6120179

Walden, R P

Construction of nuclear power plants in the United States has experienced a serious decline during the last decade and has virtually stopped since 1988. However, the demand for energy in this country continues to grow at an alarming rate. The United States possesses the technology and capital to produce more nuclear-generated electricity. If the need is there and the technology and money are available to meet that need, then why has this specialized industry experienced such a dramatic decline. The answer to this question is not a simple one. Two of the primary reasons for the decline in nuclear power plant construction are: the regulatory demands placed on the industry by the Federal government, and the public's perception of safety regarding the nuclear power industry. The construction of nuclear power plants is obviously a complex and capital-intensive undertaking. The history of nuclear power plant construction in the United States has been one of enormous cost and schedule overruns.

• Research Organization: Florida Univ., Gainesville, FL (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6120179
• Report Number(s): AD-A-240634/6/XAB; CNN: N00123-89-G-0549
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
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29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
CONSTRUCTION
COST
COST OVERRUNS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECONOMICS
ENERGY POLICY
ENGINEERING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC OPINION
REGULATIONS
SAFETY
SCHEDULES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA