Key Issues

Based on more than 50 years of experience, the U.S. nuclear industry continues to boast one of the safest industrial working environments in the nation. Through rigorous training of plant workers and increased communication and cooperation between nuclear plants and federal, state and local regulating bodies, the U.S. nuclear industry is keeping the nation’s 104 nuclear plants safe for their communities and the environment.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulates the commercial and institutional uses of nuclear energy, including nuclear power plants. The NRC monitors plant performance according to three strategic areas: reactor safety, radiation safety and security. Highly trained, independent NRC inspectors are onsite at each plant to provide oversight of plant operations, maintenance, equipment replacement and training. All plant performance results are available to the public on the NRC’s website.

Two industry organizations also play a significant role in fostering safe, efficient nuclear power plant operation:

World Association of Nuclear Operators
The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) is an international organization that consolidates the best practices and operating experiences of nuclear plants worldwide to enhance the safety and reliability of nuclear plants. WANO collects information annually on nuclear plant performance in the United States and around the world. The organization found that the U.S. nuclear industry had one of the safest industrial working environments in 2010, which led to high levels of operating efficiency. For more information, see NEI’s news release or the WANO 2010 Performance Indicators for the United States.

Institute of Nuclear Power Operations
The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) promotes high levels of safety and reliability in U.S. nuclear plants by setting performance objectives, criteria and guidelines industrywide for nuclear plant operations, and by conducting regular evaluations of nuclear plants. INPO began monitoring performance indicators in 1981 following the Three Mile Island incident and formed the National Academy for Nuclear Training in 1985 to accredit nuclear utilities’ training programs for plant operators and supervisors of operations.