[en] While there is a consensus regarding the need for extensive regulation of the nuclear power industry, the regulatory process has been the subject of almost constant controversy during recent years. Those subject to regulation complain that regulation is inefficient, that it causes unnecessary licensing and construction delays, and costs; the opponents of nuclear power charge that regulation is inadequate. This study is an effort to evaluate the performance of the regulatory process to which nuclear power plants are subject. The study is subdivided into three parts. Part One presents an analysis of the effects of regulation upon the leadtime and costs of nuclear power plants in the United States. Licensing and construction delays and power plant cost increases caused by regulatory decisions during the past decade are evaluated. Part Two is a brief review of the evolving differences between nuclear power plants and its main rival for base load generation, coal-fired plants, from the viewpoint of the electric utility planners. Finally, in Part Three, the fundamental problems of the current regulatory process are assessed, and suggestions regarding how to address these problems are presented