Continued nuclear energy may be the baseload energy supply the US needs

With many of the nation’s nuclear plants nearing the end of a 60-year operational life cycle, the percentage of U.S. energy generated by nuclear power faces the potential for a significant drop. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), however, has floated another 20-year license renewal for consideration.

Currently, nuclear power provides a full fifth of the nation’s electricity supply and more than 60 percent of its generation free of CO2 emissions. Given that electricity demand is expected to rise by more than 30 percent over the next two decades, according to the IAEA, if around 90 percent of U.S. plants are allowed to expire with their already once-renewed licenses, there could be a major disruption in the electric grid.

“It is very important for us as a world community to care how electricity is produced,” Maria Korsnick, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, said. “You can produce electricity of an intermittent nature, like wind and solar, but you are going to also need 24/7 baseload energy supply that is kind to the environment, and nuclear is just that.”

Another renewal would, however, extend these plants’ operation time from 60 to 80 years. Proponents say it is more economical than building an entirely new plant and avoids the supply shortages that could result in the interim.

Currently, the Nuclear Regulatory Commision (NRC) only allows nuclear power plants to operate for 40 years, though, with the option to renew those licenses for up to 20 years with each renewal application. To be approved, they need to prove aging has not negatively impacted a plant’s capabilities. The NRC verifies evaluations of these plants by inspections and audits, undertaking review efforts that could take anywhere between 22 and 30 months.

“If a subsequent renewal is granted and plants are allowed to operate for 80 years, NRC could see increased interest by other utilities,” Allen Hiser, senior technical advisor for Licence Renewal Ageing Management at NRC, said. “NRC experienced a similar trend when the original license renewals were granted back in 2000.”

That said, the market is not currently kind to nuclear power. In the past six years, three U.S. plants have closed even before expiration of their original license, due to inability to profit.