[Smokin' Joe]

Actually, I checked the sheet at the link, and while many went on grid after the Three Mile Island incident, none show new construction starts after 1979.

Even Watts Bar started construction prior to that date.

Many existing facilities have been refit, or their construction completed and come on line since then, but no construction sites are listed in the DOE spreadsheet after TMI (1979).

Note, too, the lag between construction starts and going on line. If we started tomorrow, it would take years for the first watt of electricity to come out of any new plant.

[thackney]

Correct, no new construction permits were issued after TMI.

Keep in mind the lag in time was also due to the changing requirements that caused redesign and rework. It “should” not take that long today.

There are some beginning the process again.

NRC > New Reactor Licensing > Early Site Permits
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-licensing/esp.html