The Nuclear Option, Energy Crisis, Future of Power, Business

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What was once the nation's biggest nightmare may now be the savior of America's Energy Crisis | CNBC's Melissa Francis explores The Nuclear Option

ABOUT THE SHOW

Power consumption in the United States has never been greater. Currently the country gets 20% of its electricity from nuclear energy. But with the price of oil soaring and increased opposition to coal fired plants, many wonder if America should be more like France, where 80% of the power is nuclear. Americans haven’t built a new nuclear plant in thirty years. Now the country sits on the verge of a nuclear revolution.

CNBC's Melissa Francis explores the issue, which according to a recent CNBC poll has the nation divided. She takes viewers on a rare tour inside of a nuclear power plant, to France where nuclear energy is working, and to what may be the future home of the first new nuclear power plant in the United States in over 30 years.

SLIDESHOW

Explore The Nuclear Option

There are currently 23 permits for new plants being reviewed by the government. Energy companies are beginning the public relations push, but there are still hurdles to overcome.

VIDEO GALLERY

Three Mile Island
Three Mile Island may have been where nuclear expansion came to a halt, but to the surprise of many it is still up and running, powering over 800 thousand households.
The Nuclear Revolution
The nuclear revolution is in full swing in the U.S., but there remains one hurdle: What to do with all that waste.
Terrorist Attacks
Chairman of the NRC Dale Klein talks to Melissa Francis about the possibilities of terrorists attacking a nuclear power plant.
France & Nuclear Power
Paris is the city of lights, lights powered by Nuclear Energy. In fact nearly 80% of France's power comes from Nukes and that number is growing.
Recycling Nuclear Fuel
A key to France's nuclear success is re-processing spent nuclear fuel.
Nuclear Waste
Melissa Francis talks to the Department of Energy's Ward Sproat about what to do with all the nuclear waste.

SHOW TIMES

Tuesday, June 30th 10p ET

SHOW HOST

Melissa Francis
CNBC's "The Call" co-anchor

Read Profile

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