"The Obama administration continues to believe that low-carbon nuclear energy has an important role to play in America’s energy future. Restarting the nation’s nuclear industry and advancing small modular reactor technologies will help create new jobs and export opportunities for American workers and businesses, and ensure we continue to take an all-of-the-above approach to American energy production."
—Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Nov. 20, 2012
Across America, more than 16,000 electric generating facilities produce the electricity we need every day. Those facilities range from large hydroelectric, coal and nuclear power plants to small generators at hospitals, manufacturers and businesses, to natural gas-fired plants, wind farms, solar arrays, geothermal stations, biomass facilities and others. Unlike some intermittent sources of low-carbon electricity, nuclear power plants produce electricity uninterrupted for extended periods—for as long as 24 months. They help supply the necessary level of steady, “baseload” electricity for the electric transmission network, or grid, to operate efficiently.
Nuclear power plants are a key element in the stability of our country's electrical grid. They produce electricity 24/7 to provide continuous electricity to power our homes, businesses, hospitals, transportation infrastructure, telecommunications and other critical infrastructure. Nuclear Energy’s Role in a Balanced, Low-Carbon Electricity Portfolio A diverse mix of electricity sources enables America to balance the cost of power production, availability and environmental impacts. Coal-fired power plants generate about 42 percent nearly half of the nation's electricity. Natural gas-fired plants generate approximately 25 percent and nuclear plants approximately 19 percent. The rest comes from hydroelectric dams and small amounts of renewable energy.
Nuclear energy also plays a central role in protecting our air quality. In fact, nuclear energy is, by far, the largest emission-free source of electricity. More than 100 reactors in 31 states provide 63 percent of America’s emission-free electricity; hydropower, 26 percent; solar, wind and geothermal, about 11 percent. Globally, nuclear energy provides nearly half of all carbon-free electricity.
Nuclear Energy: Just the Facts Brochure Nuclear Energy: Just the Facts blends easy-to-understand text with engaging graphics and photos to explain today’s nuclear energy technology, its safety practices and its benefits. The 20-page booklet includes information about how nuclear power plants work, the cost of producing electricity, nuclear energy’s environmental benefits, the mining and production of uranium fuel, the safe management of used fuel, and nuclear plant security. Electric Power Generation: How It Works This website explains how nuclear energy facilities produce electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides.
New Nuclear Energy Facilities Will Support Growth, Provide Clean Electricity This fact sheet explains why nuclear energy facilities are essential to helping meet growing demand for electricity and preserving fuel diversity that is the strength of the U.S. electric supply system. Quick Facts: Nuclear Energy in America This fact sheet highlights nuclear energy as a reliable source of energy and includes information on environmental and economic benefits, safety and used fuel management issues, and public opinion data.