NuClear Energy


Nuclear energy presents a reliable, high-capacity, low-carbon alternative to meet Utah's growing energy demands driven by population growth, economic expansion, and increasing power requirements.

WHY A NUCLEAR UTAH?

The coming decades present a difficult energy challenge for the state, region and country: We need more energy, but not all energy is created equal. Utah's  state energy policy (79-6-301) recognizes the need for adequate, reliable, dispatchable (i.e. always available), affordable, sustainable, secure and clean energy and identifies key attributes generating resources should have. Nuclear strongly aligns with these needs. 

Planned additions from our local utilities will promote mostly intermittent (i.e. energy that depends on the sun,
wind or water) resources.
  • There are currently 54 plants providing 19% of the country's electrical generation.

Nuclear energy is a suitable baseload generation to replace the coming gap.
  • As an energy resource, nuclear is capable of producing power 93% of the time vs the next highest resource at ~70%.

Nuclear power plants are a powerful economic driver.
  • About ~500-1000 people are directly employed, in high-paying jobs. There are additional jobs in ancillary services.
  • Transferable skills between many existing power plant workers. 

Learn More About Nuclear Power

 NUCLEAR FACTS

As interest in nuclear energy grows across the country, it is critical our conversations are fact-based rather than fear-based. Data and history counter many common misconceptions and will help us forge a safe and thoughtful path forward. The nuclear power of today is not the nuclear power of yesterday. Modern nuclear energy continues to evolve, with ongoing research into safe designs and more sustainable fuel cycles, positioning it as a potentially important component of the global transition to low-carbon energy systems.


Nuclear power plants function similarly to all other thermal power plants.
  • A heat source, in this case nuclear fission, creates steam and spins turbines.

Nuclear fission is extremely powerful, the most dense concentration of energy by far. 
  • A single fuel pellet contains an energy equal to a ton of coal or 17,000 ft of gas, which is enough gas to heat the average American home for three months.

Nuclear power plants take a fraction of the land area of other natural resources.
  • Depending on the resource, nuclear power's footprint takes up to 100 times less area.
  • Nuclear produces 2-160 times less emissions, depending on the resource.

The radiation from nuclear fuel warrants attention, but is easily managed.
  • Passive safety systems prevent meltdowns, increase efficiency and reduce waste.
  • All the nuclear waste in the U.S. fits in a single football field.
  • Research shows that living within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant for a year has the same radiation exposure as eating a single banana and is less than a long distance flight.  

Nuclear is as safe as other energy resources; in terms of safety, it is comparable to solar.  
  • Advances in design and monitoring only increasing the safety and efficiency of modern nuclear technologies. 

How is Utah supporting nuclear energy?

As Utah's primary office for energy and mineral development, OED is charged with implementing the gov.'s energy vision.  Our office has been evaluating nuclear energy to determine if it is a fit for Utah. Our work includes: implementing Operation Gigawatt and the Strategic Nuclear Energy Pathway series.  

OED is also heavily involved in the discussion around the proposed Nuclear Consortium of HB 249 and is continuing with discussion around public education and outreach,
among others. 


With thoughtful and considered planning, nuclear energy can be a safe and valuable energy resource for Utah. Learn more about OED's work exploring nuclear energy.