Prodromus

Higher fuel prices and increased carbon emissions have been giving nuclear energy a boost. So far this year, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has received licensing requests for 19 new nuclear power plants. That number could increase exponentially, along with the number of suitable sites for a plant.

To further boost the number of license requests, Congress should immediately propose a tax credit to all electric utilities who apply within the next 18 months. This tax credit should be phased in over the life of the nuclear reactor. By encouraging utilties to start making investments now, we will see the supply of electricity increase over the next decade, reducing the demand for carbon based generation, and pumping much needed cash into the construction industry.