Resources & Stats
February 2008
Energy Bill Opens Overseas Markets For America’s Nuclear Power Suppliers
Nuclear energy’s resurgence offers global opportunities to domestic firms, but navigating the international market can prove challenging. New congressional legislation took away one of those challenges this winter and, in the process, could spur job growth in the nuclear industry.Tucked into the 310-page bill, signed by President Bush in December, is a provision that reduces the risk for U.S. suppliers engaged in international markets. The legislation, called the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6), also authorizes a program supporting clean and efficient energy technology exports, including nuclear technology.
Also In This Issue:
Demystifying the Nuclear Plant
The industry’s efforts to build new nuclear power plants in the United States are well into the licensing phase, with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviewing five applications for new reactors. Licensing a new nuclear reactor is complex—but the NRC’s new process provides a clearly marked roadmap and numerous opportunities for public involvement.
For Berkeley’s Vujic, Nuclear Is a Passion
As the nuclear renaissance takes shape, the emergence of the next generation of engineers becomes essential. Preparing those new engineers to meet the energy challenges ahead is a corps of dedicating educators like Jamina Vujic, chair of the nuclear engineering department at the University of California-Berkeley.
A Plant in Your Pocket
A nuclear power plant on a cell phone? A computer game simulating a reactor gives players a chance to manage some aspects of plant operations. Although focused on control-room operations, the game allows closing the plant for maintenance and ensuring everything is working smoothly. The goal is to provide more electricity safely for the plant’s coverage area.