EXISTING U.S. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Approved by the IEEE-USA
Board of Directors, 17 June 2004

IEEE-USA recognizes the need for the existing nuclear power plants in the United States, and it supports actions needed to keep them in operation, as much as possible, for the foreseeable future. IEEE-USA believes that these plants have operated and can continue to operate reliably and safely, with environmental impacts comparable to those of fossil-fueled energy sources. Further, such plants are essential to the supply of adequate electrical energy to electricity customers.

IEEE-USA supports:

• Continued use of nuclear energy as a major component in a balanced portfolio of energy sources

• Continued re-licensing of nuclear plants that reach the end of terms of their license, under objective review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

• Urgent action to stem the increase in on-site storage of irradiated nuclear fuel elements

• Continued improvement in reactor operations and training, under the aegis of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and the World Association of Nuclear Operators

• Continued research and development of technology for safely extending life of existing plants

IEEE-USA believes that the risks posed to the public by continued operation of these plants under the oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including the risks imposed by potential terrorism, are acceptable and manageable. These plants currently supply about 20 percent of the kilowatt hours sold in the United States. Removing a significant number of such plants from service would cause disruption within the power system, because these plants make an important contribution to the nation’s electric power supply.

This statement was developed by the IEEE-USA Energy Policy Committee and represents the considered judgment of a group of U.S. IEEE members with expertise in the subject field. IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of IEEE, created in 1973 to advance the public good, while promoting the careers and public-policy interests of the more than 225,000 technology professionals who are U.S. members of the IEEE. For more information, go to http://www.ieeeusa.org.

IEEE-USA
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Washington, DC 20036-5104
Phone: 202-785-0017, Fax: 202-785-0835

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Last Update:  23 June 2003
Staff Contact: Bill Williams, bill.williams@ieee.org