Just over a year ago, I was graduating college with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, eager to begin a career in nuclear energy. I had very little experience in power generation and absolutely no experience in the nuclear field. It was a topic that I had hardly ever heard about, and one in which I knew very little; nonetheless, I decided to accept the challenge of learning the complex world of nuclear power at Diablo Canyon Power Plant on the central coast of California. Little did I know that within a year's time, electricity would become such a needed commodity in my home state, let alone in the rest of the US. This energy crisis would eventually lead to a period in time that is being referred to as the "Nuclear Renaissance."

It wasn't until I attended the Nuclear Energy Assembly (NEA) in May of 2001 that I began to fully understand that nuclear power was truly being considered a viable solution to our energy crisis. At this assembly, Vice President Cheney spoke of how nuclear power is a vital element in our nation's energy policy. I was astonished to hear one of our nation's leaders speak positively about an industry that has not received favorable attention in over 20 years. As a young professional in this industry, I was extremely encouraged to hear the Vice President refer to nuclear power as reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound.

It was also at NEA that the President and CEO of Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), Joe Colvin, revealed his strategy to meet the energy challenges of our future - Vision 2020. The centerpiece of this plan is the addition of 50,000 megawatts of new nuclear power plant capability by the year 2020. To make this plan possible, the industry is working tenaciously to ensure a presidential decision on the suitability of a used nuclear fuel repository at Yucca Mountain. In addition to Vision 2020, the industry is also working on new plant designs such as the Pebble-Bed Modular Reactor and the AP1000, scheduled to be deployed by 2010.

With the increasing recognition of nuclear energy, power plant license renewals are becoming more attainable than they were as recently as 5 years ago. This new-found life brought about by license extensions is making it more feasible for the current fleet to increase its capacity by incorporating new technologies. Projects such as these are helping to attain the short-term goal of Vision 2020, which is a 10% improvement in the present fleet that amounts to approximately 10,000 megawatts of enhanced capability.

As a young engineer just beginning a career in nuclear power, I am extremely excited to be on the ground floor of an industry that is on the verge of massive expansion. The thought of the first 20 years of my career being filled with such growth and possibility is both encouraging and inspiring. I was so motivated by NEA that I returned with the desire to spread the word of my new-found passion for nuclear energy to my colleagues. There seemed no better way to organize and channel this energy than to establish a local chapter of NA-YGN at Diablo Canyon. One of the purposes of NA-YGN is to help turn the goals of Vision 2020 into a reality. By becoming ambassadors for nuclear science and technology, NA-YGN members can positively influence public perception of nuclear energy. It's truly an exciting time to be involved in nuclear power in the United States, and I am honored to do my part in promoting the "Nuclear Renaissance."