The 1979 partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant became a cautionary tale for a generation of Americans.

But experts at Northeastern University say a plan to reopen the plant shows opinions are changing regarding nuclear power and its role in a clean energy future.

“‘Nuclear’ has a really bad reputation as a word, but for use in our society, it is actually very convenient,” says Alessandra Di Credico, a teaching professor of physics at Northeastern University who teaches a course on energy and the environment.

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AP Photo/Bradley C Bower