First U.S. Nuclear Power Closures in 15 Years Signal Wider Problems for Industry As the economics of building plants and maintaining old ones erode, some experts see little hope for an industry being touted by some as a climate savior. By Elizabeth Douglass September 24, 2013 The survival of the nation's nuclear industry is hanging in the balance. Map showing closed or closing nuclear power plants (in red), as well as plants especially vulnerable to future closures (in yellow). Experts say the closures are due to low power prices, rising costs and other economic woes (larger map below). Credit: Paul Horn for InsideClimate News