December 22, 2011. U.S. regulators moved a step closer toward clearing the country's first nuclear reactors since the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, even as the industry struggles against plunging natural gas prices and safety fears after Japan's Fukushima disaster. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved the latest version of Westinghouse Electric's AP1000 reactor, stirring supporters hopes that a true U.S. nuclear power revival - first discussed a decade ago when as a cheaper, cleaner alternative to fossil fuels - may yet come. Next up for the NRC is to decide whether to approve plans by U.S. power companies Southern Co and Scana Corp to build AP1000s in the U.S. Southeast. Both firms have started limited construction on two units each, which would be the first reactors built in the United States in more than 30 years. The Obama administration has painted the resurgence of nuclear power as an important step toward cutting U.S. dependence on greenhouse-gas-emitting power sources like coal. However, public and political opposition over the AP1000 design and nuclear power in general has swelled following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan after a massive earthquake and tsunami in March.