THE AMERICAN NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE: TODAY AND TOMORROW

Nuclear energy generates 20 percent of the electricity used in the United States. The resurgence in interest in building new nuclear power plants in the U.S. is the culmination of a number of long and short-term trends: rising fossil fuel prices, and extreme volatility in natural gas markets; demand for new sources of baseload electric power as America's electric infrastructure continues to age; and increasing environmental constraints, including the Clean Air Act requirements and the distinct possibility of carbon controls.

Over the past 25 years, the American nuclear industry has dramatically improved its performance, reaching new records in production, safety and efficiency. Because of this strong record, the industry is experiencing solid public support for renewing the operating licenses of the current fleet of 103 reactors, as well as for building new nuclear facilities. However, because the nuclear industry is a truly global -- and that's the case whether we are talking about nuclear fuel, operational performance, new plant designs, manufacturing of components or managing waste products -- no single nation will be able to go it alone. But by working together, the industry can continue to improve its performance through openness, transparency and information exchange with each other and with our various publics and governments.

In this presentation, Ms. Howard will give an update on the latest performance trends in the U.S. reactor fleet, outline plans for new reactor build and review the state of the public policy landscape in Washington.