On May 4, 2006, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) renewed the operating license of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, units 1, 2, and 3. The Tennessee Valley Authority can now operate the plant for 20 more years, as well as increase power by an additional 20% above the originally licensed level. The NRC completed a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) supplement in June 2005, finding that potential impacts would be of small significance, whereas alternatives such as taking no action by shutting down the plant would have moderate to large impacts on local land use and socioeconomics. This article provides the background and context for the recent resurgence of the industry, along with discussion of federal regulations and site-specific environmental issues, using this latest license renewal as an example.