Local investors hoping to build a nuclear power plant in western Fresno County have scoped out locations, planned a water supply, lined up support and signed a development agreement with a French energy conglomerate.

The real hard work, however, lies ahead.

The hurdles are enormous and include arranging billions of dollars in financing, figuring out how to ship spent nuclear fuel from the Valley to France and navigating a state moratorium on new plants.

Add in a skittish public that is watching the nuclear crisis in Japan following an earthquake and tsunami, and the obstacles might prove insurmountable.

Read the full story at fresnobee.com.