<P> Most reactors began construction by 1974 ; following the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and changing economics , many planned projects were canceled . More than 100 orders for nuclear power reactors , many already under construction , were canceled in the 1970s and 1980s , bankrupting some companies . Up until 2013 , there had also been no ground - breaking on new nuclear reactors at existing power plants since 1977 . Then in 2012 , the NRC approved construction of four new reactors at existing nuclear plants . Construction of the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station Units 2 and 3 began on March 9 , 2013 but was abandoned on July 31 , 2017 . On March 12 , 2013 construction began on the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Units 3 and 4 , but has been stalled as the reactor supplier Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy protection on March 29 , 2017 . On October 19 , 2016 TVA 's Unit - 2 reactor at the Watts Bar Nuclear Generating Station became the first US reactor to enter commercial operation since 1996 . </P>
<P> Most reactors began construction by 1974 ; following the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and changing economics , many planned projects were canceled . More than 100 orders for nuclear power reactors , many already under construction , were canceled in the 1970s and 1980s , bankrupting some companies . Up until 2013 , there had also been no ground - breaking on new nuclear reactors at existing power plants since 1977 . Then in 2012 , the NRC approved construction of four new reactors at existing nuclear plants . Construction of the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station Units 2 and 3 began on March 9 , 2013 but was abandoned on July 31 , 2017 . On March 12 , 2013 construction began on the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Units 3 and 4 , but has been stalled as the reactor supplier Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy protection on March 29 , 2017 . On October 19 , 2016 TVA 's Unit - 2 reactor at the Watts Bar Nuclear Generating Station became the first US reactor to enter commercial operation since 1996 . </P>
when was the last nuclear power plant built in the us
when was the last nuclear power plant built in the us
October 19 , 2016
October 19 , 2016