U.S. Utilities ‘Stealth’ Nuclear Revival

ext">electricity demand, construction of new nuclear
The news media love headlines, especially thosepower plants or the re-activation of shutdown
which mention that no nuclear reactor has comereactors is drawing public and media attention. Both
online in more than a decade. How would journalistsof these options, however, would take place in the
(and environmentalists) react if they discovered U.S.future-if at all. A third option that is already taking
nuclear utilities have added the ‘nuclearplace has generated less publicity: uprating existing
power’ equivalent to four large reactors? Aunits to generate more power. Although the uprates
fifth or more could be on the way.are usually less than 10 percent, they are quite
According to the Energy Information Administrationsignificant.
(EIA) website, “With projected increases in