"Along with increased energy efficiency and conservation, and expanded use of renewables, natural gas and 21st century coal, it will be essential to build new nuclear power generation, the only proven large-scale generating technology that produces no greenhouse gas emissions."
- Buzz Miller Southern Co. Executive Vice President, Nuclear Development
A new generation of nuclear power plants will feature advanced designs, refined construction techniques, and a licensing process geared to a mature technology—improvements built on 50 years of experience in operating nuclear plants. Companies started applying to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for combined construction/operating licenses in 2007—for the first time in 30 years. Since then, five nuclear power plants in the United States have begun construction, and another 16 companies and consortia are in the exploration, licensing and financial stages associated with such an endeavor. Construction of the next generation of U.S. nuclear plants will differ markedly from the old process, when companies built plants as the designs and regulations were evolving. Designs for the next plants built will have all design-related safety issues resolved before construction begins.