ABSTRACT
In some states in the United States, such as Ohio, legislatures are looking to nuclear power as an alternative to renewables. This chapter examines nuclear technology innovation and industry regulation in order to understand the difficulties of relying on nuclear power as a meaningful alternative to renewable power deployment. It considers the current status of nuclear energy innovations and the extent to which the progress and obstacles for nuclear power supports including it as a viable alternative, or supplement, to renewable energy. A major element to supporting a more broadly based drive toward deployment of innovative nuclear power plants must be persuading the citizens of the developed nations that nuclear energy should be viewed as a beneficial component to building societies powered by clean energy. Renewable energy and nuclear power are not alternative paths to climate change mitigation.
