Nuclear Output hits 4 year low

U.S. nuclear-power output remained near a 4½-year low for a third day, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said.

Power generation nationwide increased 57 megawatts to 72,319 megawatts, or 71 percent of capacity, according to an NRC report today and data compiled by Bloomberg. Output sank yesterday to the smallest since Oct. 22, 2006. Twenty-nine of the nation's 104 reactors were offline.

Some reactors close for maintenance and refueling during the spring and fall in the U.S., when demand for heating and cooling is lower. The outages can increase consumption of natural gas and coal to generate electricity.