Is the use of nuclear power becoming more popular around the world?  Well according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the answer appears to be Yes — and the most interesting developments are happening in Eastern Europe.  According to the Journal, nuclear energy has several advantages for this region.  There are, for instance, a number of half-developed sites from the Soviet era which already exist and can be safely upgraded.  In addition, a number of governments have provided sovereign guarantees on new plants, and there several Eastern European nations have determined to reduce dependence on Russia, which supplies as much as 90 percent of natural gas in some countries.  With such enticements, it is little wonder many Eastern European nations are all radiantly aglow about atomic energy.