Nucs and realpolitik
I think the supporters of nuclear power as an alternative to burning coal and importing petroleum are not looking at a bright future in the U.S. At least not near-term. I've been hearing a lot of Republican supporters in the chattering classes (media voices) saying recently that nuclear power is the right answer for America's energy future. In Washington D.C. that is almost certain to meet heavy Democratic opposition as a "Republican idea." So do not expect any pro-nuclear action out of this Congress. There was no nuclear power money in the Recovery bill. And the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is not going to be pro-nuc under the current administration.
If eight years of Relublican control of the executive branchclouldn;t get a nuc plant approved...but then the last administration may have secretly felt nuclear was a threat to their favorite energy sources: coal and oil.
Here's what the latest Republican platform says on behalf of nuclear: "Nuclear energy is the most reliable zero-carbon-emissions source of energy that we have. Unwarranted fear mongering with no relationship to current technologies and safeguards has prevented us from starting construction of a single nuclear power plant in 31 years."