Posted: October 29th, 2022

Regulation, Energy Policies & Nuclear Power

Regulation, Energy Policies & Nuclear Power

Nuclear power remains one of the most reliable sources of low-carbon energy. However, nuclear power is yet to be deployed as a majority baseload power provider. Many reasons for this non-utilization of nuclear power lie within the policy, regulation and economics realm. If nuclear power is to be within the coalition of power providers post-carbon, then the foundations for the nuclear power industry must be placed today. It is widely known the nuclear power technology industry achieved its highest growth after President Eisenhower’s famous “Atoms for Peace” speech in the 1950s and 60s. The goal is to understand the regulatory practice applied then, noting the major shift in 1954 from military to civilian regulation. In addition, I would like you to examine the relationship between the political executive and legislative branches, which resulted in reforming laws in the industry, such as the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and other similar legislation. Finally, I am looking for sources on reactor development’s financial aspect, especially data that measure values from the 1950s that I could compare to those today.
The goal is to understand the regulatory practice at the time, noting the significant shift from military to civilian regulation in 1954. Furthermore, I would like you to investigate the relationship between the political executive and legislative branches, which resulted in industry reforming laws such as the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and other similar legislation. Finally, I’m looking for sources on the financial aspects of reactor development, particularly data that compares 1950s values to those today.
analyze the development of nuclear power in the late 20th century. In particular, I would like you to understand the development costs (tying in concepts such as long-term and short-term average costs) and process especially as it relates to First Of A Kind (FOAK) vs Nth Of A Kind (NOAK) unit pricing. In addition to the economic policies that influenced reactor development at the time, I would like to examine the regulatory environment that existed at the time in the power utilities field and the role these regulatory practices lead to the promotion of nuclear power.