There are five nuclear power plants in Florida that generate 40 percent of the electricity in the state. Including Florida's reactors, there are 103 reactors in the United States. These reactors supply approximately 20 percent of U.S. electricity needs. In 1959, UF's 10,000 watt nuclear training reactor became Florida's first critical reactor.

The need for the nuclear power is expected to increase because of the increasing need for electricity, reducing supply of oil and gas, and the need for reduction of waste and releases such as CO2.

what do nuclear engineers do?

They research and develop the processes, instruments and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. They design, develop, monitor and operate nuclear plants to generate power. They may work on the nuclear fuel cycle — the production, handling, and use of nuclear fuel and the safe disposal of waste produced by the generation of nuclear energy — or on the development of fusion energy. Some specialize in the development of nuclear power sources for naval vessels or spacecraft; others find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials, as in equipment used to diagnose and treat medical problems. Bureau of Labor Statistics