As nuclear O ampersand M costs go, so goes the industry

The nuclear power industry is operating its plants better and better. In recent years, the industry reduced its operating and maintenance (O ampersand M) costs. Yet it also raised its overall capacity factor to 75 percent. In addition, nuclear operating companies increased safety and lowered radiation doses to their workers. These advances involved a concentrated effort on the part of nuclear plant owners and operators, nuclear societies and organizations, and vendors of nuclear systems and equipment. This article describes some of the methods used to achieve these results and the technology available to improve operating costs. 2 figs., 2 tabs