From always-on reliability and dispatchable flexibility to carbon-free generation with a small land footprint, civil nuclear energy strengthens energy security and independence while anchoring local economies with high-paying, long-lasting jobs.
Explore the benefits below.
From always-on reliability and dispatchable flexibility to carbon-free generation with a small land footprint, civil nuclear energy strengthens energy security and independence while anchoring local economies with high-paying, long-lasting jobs.
Explore the benefits below.
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Nuclear energy is by far the most reliable energy source.
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The nation's current suite of nuclear plants produces power more than 90% of the time—around the clock, rain or shine.
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To put that in perspective, the next most reliable source is geothermal, which produces energy about 65% of the time.
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A reliable, baseload source of electricity is essential to the functionality of the electrical grid.
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Today’s nuclear reactors produce about 1,000 megawatts of electricity (MWe), enough to power 1 million homes or a city about the size of Denver, Colorado. Advanced reactors, on the other hand, come in a range of sizes from 1 to 300 MWe or more. A 300 MWe small modular reactor could power about 300,000 homes per year - enough to power Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Nuclear plants generate electricity without emitting carbon or other air pollutants.
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Nuclear plants generate nearly half of the emissions-free electricity in the U.S., making nuclear the single largest source of clean energy.
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Current nuclear reactors have a small physical footprint, which means they need very little space to operate. Advanced reactors, like small modular reactors (SMRs), will need even less space to operate. This means advanced reactors can be built in places where large nuclear reactors cannot. It also means that more land is available for other uses.
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Advanced nuclear technologies offer local communities stable, high-paying jobs.
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Plant operations also spur hundreds of additional jobs in the local community, through added revenue and household spending, as well as to support ancillary services for the plant.
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Nuclear reactors can operate for 80 years or more, so the plants can employ local workers for multiple generations.
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Nuclear plants require employees with a range of skills and educational backgrounds. Employees come from trade schools, community colleges and universities as well as from other energy fields.
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Nuclear power plants pay local and state tax over their entire operational life. A single nuclear power plant can generate $16 million in tax revenue each year, which can support improvements to local infrastructure, education and public services.
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New nuclear power plants can help retain jobs and economic benefits in communities that have aging power plants facing potential retirement. Advanced reactors, such as small modular reactors, can use parts of the existing plants and its trained workers. This would keep jobs in the community and bring new economic benefits.
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A strong nuclear industry enhances the energy security of the U.S. Our use of nuclear energy protects us against foreign influence and global energy price fluctuations.
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Nuclear energy is homegrown energy and has delivered reliable, secure electricity to communities across the country for the last 70 years.
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The United States developed this technology and has long set the global standard for nuclear energy safety and regulation.
-
Nuclear energy is by far the most reliable energy source.
-
The nation's current suite of nuclear plants produces power more than 90% of the time—around the clock, rain or shine.
-
To put that in perspective, the next most reliable source is geothermal, which produces energy about 65% of the time.
-
A reliable, baseload source of electricity is essential to the functionality of the electrical grid.
-
Today’s nuclear reactors produce about 1,000 megawatts of electricity (MWe), enough to power 1 million homes or a city about the size of Denver, Colorado. Advanced reactors, on the other hand, come in a range of sizes from 1 to 300 MWe or more. A 300 MWe small modular reactor could power about 300,000 homes per year - enough to power Salt Lake City, Utah.
-
Nuclear plants generate electricity without emitting carbon or other air pollutants.
-
Nuclear plants generate nearly half of the emissions-free electricity in the U.S., making nuclear the single largest source of clean energy.
-
Current nuclear reactors have a small physical footprint, which means they need very little space to operate. Advanced reactors, like small modular reactors (SMRs), will need even less space to operate. This means advanced reactors can be built in places where large nuclear reactors cannot. It also means that more land is available for other uses.
-
Advanced nuclear technologies offer local communities stable, high-paying jobs.
-
Plant operations also spur hundreds of additional jobs in the local community, through added revenue and household spending, as well as to support ancillary services for the plant.
-
Nuclear reactors can operate for 80 years or more, so the plants can employ local workers for multiple generations.
-
Nuclear plants require employees with a range of skills and educational backgrounds. Employees come from trade schools, community colleges and universities as well as from other energy fields.
-
Nuclear power plants pay local and state tax over their entire operational life. A single nuclear power plant can generate $16 million in tax revenue each year, which can support improvements to local infrastructure, education and public services.
-
New nuclear power plants can help retain jobs and economic benefits in communities that have aging power plants facing potential retirement. Advanced reactors, such as small modular reactors, can use parts of the existing plants and its trained workers. This would keep jobs in the community and bring new economic benefits.
-
A strong nuclear industry enhances the energy security of the U.S. Our use of nuclear energy protects us against foreign influence and global energy price fluctuations.
-
Nuclear energy is homegrown energy and has delivered reliable, secure electricity to communities across the country for the last 70 years.
-
The United States developed this technology and has long set the global standard for nuclear energy safety and regulation.
