[en] The Administration's energy policy depends for its success on continued growth of the Nation's bulk power supply to meet the dual needs of continued industrial growth and reduced reliance on imported oil. New generating capacity, both coal and nuclear, will be needed to meet the demand. Although a large backlog of new plant construction still exists, which should result in significant new capacity being brought on line during the next few years, the sharp reduction in orders during the last 3 years, with the prospect of very few orders in 1978 and 1979, leads to serious concern over the Nation's ability to bring new capacity on line five or more years from now. Furthermore, plants under construction and in the licensing process are being delayed, and costs are escalating for these as well as potential new plants. These trends, if they continue, could have major adverse impact on the cost of electricity, and manufactured products, to the American consumer. The following growth-inhibiting factors are examined: (1) uncertainty over government acceptance of nuclear power, (2) long and uncertain lead times, (3) financing difficulties, (4) fuel cycle problems, (5) fuel supply concerns, (6) lack of standardization, (7) conflicting base load projections, (8) public relations, (9) fuel and waste transportation, and (10) lack of government support for resolution of Technical problems