To clarify your point: utilities aren't usually in the fuel fabrication business, but some engineering firms are, like Westinghouse. They provide the designs, expertise during and after construction and fuel. And there's only a couple of vendors, so if you want to open up a nuclear power plant it's on their terms.
Yes. You're right. Utilities are told by the regulations to pay the engineering firms so that they can operate. I wish they had more choice other then the big ones but no one seems to be able to enter the market.
