Last year, construction workers were on the job 20-22 days per month. The total this year has dropped to 13-15 days, and legal fights augur further slowdowns.

Experts warn that floating reactors can intensify the process of militarization of disputed waters, and be very difficult to monitor.

The project has been on and off for more than 35 years as previous contracts fell through due to claims of high-level corruption and lack of political goodwill from top government leaders.

FEMA Administrator Brock Long says money would be better spent preparing before hurricanes and storms hit.

October jobless rate dips to 4.5% from September's 4.7%, and from year-earlier 5.7%