Nuclear Power
UCS continues to be vigilant in monitoring the performance of nuclear plants and their regulators—the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We continue to find and expose safety and security problems at individual plants, in industry standards, and in the failure of regulators to take effective action. We analyze the problems and propose solutions. We file formal petitions to the NRC, testify before Congress, and provide technical assistance to groups of citizens living near nuclear plants.
Features
Nuclear Power Information Tracker
Nuclear Power Information Tracker is an interactive map that allows users to search for safety issues at U.S. nuclear power plants and get in-depth information about each reactor, including past and present safety issues, UCS letters to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and testimony to Congress.
Profile of David Lochbaum in Nuclear News
Nuclear News recently profiled David Lochbaum, director of UCS's nuclear safety project.
Successes
Recent successes in Nuclear Power include:
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Curtailing the Bush administration’s dangerous nuclear reprocessing plan
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Bringing critical facts to the debate about nuclear power and global warming
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Enhancing the public’s access to information about power plant safety
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Analysis
Nuclear Power in a Warming World
In Nuclear Power in a Warming World, UCS describes the risks of nuclear power and recommends practical steps to minimize those risks, which is essential if nuclear power expands to help reduce global warming.
Walking a Nuclear Tightrope
UCS identifies common themes among power reactors that have shut down for a year or more to address accumulated safety problems, and proposes solutions to end these costly and avoidable threats to public health.
US Nuclear Power Plants in the 21st Century
UCS analysis of the risks involved with maintaining an aging crop of nuclear power plants, as well as those involved with building and starting up new ones.
Campaigns
Fix fire safety problems at U.S. Nuclear Power Plants
A fire at a power reactor could lead to a serious accident and a release of deadly radiation—yet many reactors are not following fire safety regulations. UCS is working to change this.
Resources
Nuclear Power Information Tracker
Nuclear Power Information Tracker is an interactive map that allows users to search for safety issues at U.S. nuclear power plants and get in-depth information about each reactor, including past and present safety issues, UCS letters to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and testimony to Congress.
UCS Position on Nuclear Power and Global Warming
To address global warming, we need a profound transformation of the ways in which we generate and consume energy. The urgency of this situation demands that we be willing to consider all possible options for coping with climate change. In examining each option we must take into account its impact on public health, safety, and security, the time required for large scale deployment, and its costs.
