<< Previous

Diverse Groups Recognize Nuclear Energy’s Climate-Friendly Benefits

U.S. policymakers are weighing legislative and other approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While many predict that meaningful climate change policy may take several years to finalize, the role that nuclear energy can play in carbon reduction programs is clear. All mainstream analyses of the climate change issue by independent organizations show that reducing carbon emissions will require a portfolio of technologies, that nuclear energy must be part of the portfolio, and that major expansion of nuclear generating capacity over the next few decades is essential.

The Obama administration has made energy legislation a priority, and the U.S. Congress continues to debate climate change legislation. In June, the House of Representatives approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454). The bill, with a primary goal of reducing carbon emissions by 83 percent by 2050, contained several provisions favoring nuclear energy.

Analyses of H.R. 2454 by EPA and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) demonstrate that substantial increases in nuclear generating capacity will be essential to meet the legislation’s carbon-reduction goals.

In the EPA analysis, nuclear generation increases by 150 percent, from 782 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2005 to 2,081 billion kWh in 2050. If all existing U.S. nuclear power plants retire after 60 years of operation, 187 new nuclear plants must be built by 2050.

In the “Basic” scenario in the EIA’s analysis, the United States would need to build 96 gigawatts of new nuclear generation by 2030 (69 new nuclear plants). This would result in nuclear energy supplying 33 percent of U.S. electricity generation, more than any other source of electric power. To the extent the United States cannot deploy new nuclear power plants in these numbers, the cost of electricity, natural gas and carbon allowances will be higher.

Also in June, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 (S. 1462), which designates nuclear energy as essential in a low-carbon energy mix.

In September, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733), which aims to create clean-energy jobs, reduce greenhouse gases and enhance domestic energy protection. The bill states, “It is the policy of the United States … to facilitate the continued development and growth of a safe and clean nuclear energy industry.” Hearings on the legislation began in October.

The Senate will continue debate on energy and climate legislation this year.

Analyses See Important Role For Nuclear Energy

Other organizations recognize nuclear energy’s potential in mitigating climate change, including:

• A United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change study called for an additional investment by utilities of $25 billion in nuclear energy by 2030.

• The World Economic Forum’s 2008 analysis of energy stated that nuclear energy is “probably the best option for carbon-neutral energy from the perspective of currently available and easily scalable technologies.” In 2009, the forum’s Task Force on Low-Carbon Prosperity recommended establishing a platform for an international public-private dialogue “to discuss the role of nuclear power in the low-carbon economy and how the related policy architecture should be designed to reflect its contribution.”

• The Academies of Science for the G8+5 countries issued a joint statement in 2008 that recommends accelerating the transition to a “low carbon economy,” producing more energy from such low-carbon sources as nuclear power.

• The Electric Power Research Institute concluded in its “Prism/MERGE Analyses: 2009 Update” that 45 new reactors are needed to reduce carbon dioxide levels by 41 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

• The International Energy Agency concluded in its 2009 “World Energy Outlook” report that stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide at 450 parts per million would require nearly doubling global nuclear energy capacity by 2030.

See page four for details on additional reports.

Pages 1 2 3 4