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The Nuclear OptionThe Nuclear Option
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.


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SLIDESHOW


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  • 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


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  • 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

Check back soon for upcoming show times.


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SHOW HOST

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

   Read Profile

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