Nuclear Power
Features
Nuclear Power: A Resurgence We Can't Afford (2009)
A new UCS analysis finds that the U.S. does not need to significantly expand its reliance on nuclear power to make dramatic cuts in power plant carbon emissions through 2030—and that doing so would be uneconomical.
Nuclear Power Loan Guarantees: Another Taxpayer Bailout Ahead? (2009)
With potentially 1.6 trillion dollars in risk exposure, both industry and Wall Street consider nuclear power plants too risky to finance. This report urges Congress to be cautious about committing public funds to new nuclear plants, and identifies several critical steps the federal government must take before shifting the financial risks of new nuclear plant construction onto the taxpayer.
Nuclear Power in a Warming World (2007)
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.
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
Walking a Nuclear Tightrope (2006)
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 (2004)
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.
Chernobyl on the Hudson? (2004)
UCS report on the impacts of a terrorist attack at Indian Point nuclear power plant.
Nuclear Plant Risk Studies: Failing the Grade (2000)
UCS examines how nuclear plant risk assessments are performed and how their results are used and concludes that the risk assessments are seriously flawed.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: A Report on Safety in America's Nuclear Power Industry
UCS examines the safety margins at 10 representative nuclear power plants.
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
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.
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.
