ABSTRACT
The history of nuclear energy starts with the discovery of uranium in 1789 by Martin Klaproth, a German chemist, who named it after the planet Uranus. The science and technology of understanding and controlling radiation and nuclear fission were developed between 1895 and 1945, with most of it after 1939 focusing on the development of the atomic bomb. In 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported there were 439 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world, operating in 31 countries. Nuclear energy is expected to be a significant component of the world's energy planning. In China and India in particular, nuclear power is important so that they utilize a carbon-free source of base-load electric power that can replace coal and at the same time meet the requirements of a growing population. Since the attacks, Congress has repeatedly focused oversight and legislative attention on nuclear power plant security requirements established and enforced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
