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Nuclear Energy
A safe, carbon-free energy source that protects our national security and benefits our economy.
Nuclear energy is widely recognized as a crucial source of clean, secure, and affordable power. It stands as one of the most reliable energy sources, contributing 20% of all electricity in the U.S. Not only is it the only cost-effective and efficient energy source available around the clock, but it is also the largest provider of carbon-free electricity in the country, helping to protect air quality by generating power without harmful pollutants (Nuclear Energy Institute).
Many nations that have embraced nuclear power are acknowledging its clean energy and energy security benefits. They are reaffirming their commitment to nuclear energy by developing plans to support existing reactor units and crafting policies to encourage further expansion of nuclear capacity.
In the U.S., several utilities have announced life extensions and power uprates for existing reactors, thanks to recent government policy changes that support nuclear power. With several new reactor construction projects recently approved and many more planned worldwide, the demand for uranium fuel continues to grow.
Why Nuclear
It is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States and protects our air quality by generating electricity without other harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, or mercury. Nuclear energy already displaces 1.6 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually and will play a large role in decarbonization strategies. Nuclear Energy Institute analysis of over 90 pathways to net-zero emissions considered by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reveals that to limit global warming to no more than 34.7°F, installed nuclear energy capacity must triple by 2050.
New large-scale nuclear reactors have the potential to cut 23 gigatonnes of emissions between 2020 and 2050 by replacing fossil fuel power generation. Replacing coal power, a major carbon emitter, is especially important in developing countries, where energy demand is expected to surge as more areas connect to the electricity grid.
Nuclear is powerful, one uranium fuel pellet—about the size of a gummy bear—creates as much energy as one ton of coal, 149 gallons of oil or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas. You need more than 3 million solar panels to produce the same amount of power as a typical commercial reactor or more than 430 wind turbines.
A single nuclear power reactor generates enough electricity on average to power over 700,000 homes without emitting any greenhouse gases—that’s more than enough to power a city the size of Philadelphia. The 94 nuclear plants in the United States produce enough electricity to power 75 million homes.
Nuclear energy produces more electricity on less land than any other clean-air source. Wind farms require 360 times more land area to produce the same amount of electricity and solar photovoltaic plants require 75 times more space than nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy is a very reliable, safe, highly regulated source of clean energy. Despite common misconceptions, nuclear energy is one of the safest sources and has seen dramatic changes over the last 50 years to make the technology even safer and more efficient.
For decades, nuclear plant owners have worked with federal, state, and local officials, as well as thousands of volunteers and first responders, to ensure that safety and the public interest is always of the highest priority. Facilities are subject to strict, highly sensitive monitoring programs. Plants are also built to withstand impacts from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and aircraft.
Nuclear energy is one of the most reliable sources of energy and provides 20% of all power in the US.
Nuclear plants are the most efficient source of electricity, operating 24/7 at a more than 93 percent average capacity factor. While wind and solar are a fine addition to our grid, they certainly are not a good baseload supply as they aren’t dependable. The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.
