U.S. energy policy and the role of nuclear power in the U.S.A

It has been known that the availability of petroleum and gas resources would be limited as 21st century draws near. It was decided in the U.S.A. to change the economy depending on petroleum to that depending on other fuel and energy sources as early as possible. The state of energy supply in the U.S.A. is relatively stable, but rich domestic resources are not fully utilized. 78% of the energy demand is produced in the U.S.A., and imported petroleum amounts to only 21% of the energy consumption. As published in the Tokyo summit meeting in 1979, it is difficult to attain the economic growth and employment expansion unless the capacity of nuclear power generation is increased in ten years hence. 13% of the power generation capacity in the U.S.A. was nuclear power generation in 1978. At the end of 1979, 71 nuclear reactors with 52 million kW capacity were in operation. 4 power stations of 4 million kW were under construction. The target is to reduce the imported petroleum to 50% of the quantity at present by 1990, and to maintain the solid economy. For the purpose, the energy demand must be reduced, and substitute energy must be increased. The all America energy plan published in May, 1979, is the general plan to change the forms of energy production and consumption. The policy and the projects of nuclear power generation in the U.S.A. and the management of radioactive wastes are discussed. (Kako, I.)