Anti-Nuclear Activism and the Past, Present and Future of United States Nuclear Energy Policy

Nuclear power has had a long and controversial history leading people to have many different views on the topic. Even though nuclear power does provide the nation with a significant portion of its electricity, many still fear its risks, especially after the events at Fukushima last spring. This thesis explores how public opinion, current events, and anti-nuclear activism have shaped nuclear power in America today. After reviewing the literature on nuclear energy in the United States, I discuss the past and current state of United States nuclear energy policy, and then describe changing American attitudes toward nuclear power over time. My final chapter focuses on anti-nuclear activism in the United States, looking in depth at the controversy currently surrounding two specific plants: Indian Point Energy Center and Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. In conclusion, I have developed my own opinion on the role of which nuclear power should play in American energy policy and its future