The Nuclear Energy Institute reports that nuclear power plants are exceeding performance goals for safety and reliability. In 1995, the U.S. nuclear industry:
s Achieved the highest capability factor ever: a median value of 82.6 percent. (Unit capability is a percentage of the most electricity a plant can produce, limited by plant management.)
s Reduced unplanned automatic shutdowns or scrams by almost 90 percent since 1980.
s Met safety performance in 94 percent of the systems.
s Reduced low-level solid radioactive waste (tools, rags, clothing) to a median 30 cubic meters (em far less than 1994's 110 cubic meters. (em JS t
Joseph F. Schuler, Jr. is associate editor of PUBLIC UTILITIES FORTNIGHTLY. Lori A. Burkhart is an associate legal editor.
Articles found on this page are available to Internet subscribers only. For more information about obtaining a username and password, please call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-368-5001.