Generating more power Nuclear plants might be run past their
allowed maximum By Paul Adams October 27, 2007 Faced with the
competing threats of global warming and a looming energy
shortfall, federal regulators are contemplating whether another
20 years of service can be squeezed out of the nation's aging
nuclear power plants without compromising safety. Many say they
believe that the 104 nuclear reactors operating in the U.S. will
be forced to retire faster than industry can replace them,
unless regulators act to extend their lives to 80 years from the
current 60-year maximum. The discussion is of particular
interest in Maryland, where Constellation Energy Group owns two
aging nuclear reactors and is considering whether to build a
third to meet the state's growing energy needs. Though it will
be years before any licenses expire, the debate has urgency
because utilities are making decisions that will affect how many
nuclear plants will be built during the next 20 years. The issue
might prove critical to effort