Can Nuclear Power Compete?; December 2008; Scientific American Earth 3.0; by Matthew L. Wald; 8 Page(s)

On an august afternoon in Washington, D.C., typically miserable for its heat, humidity and stillness, reporters gathered at a downtown hotel not known for its airconditioning. Stuffed inside a windowless conference room that was being heated still further by the television people¿s lights, we waited for Michael J. Wallace, who had been trying, in fits and starts, to unveil nuclear power¿s second act.

On arrival, Wallace, a meticulous manager not known for ad-libbing, looked out over the sweating reporters and smiled. ¿It¿s days like today that highlight the real need for new, emissions-free, baseload power,¿ he said. Unless we get started soon, he added, rolling blackouts could become the norm.