Public Policy
NEI Policy Positions
NEI Policy Positions by Key Issue
Protecting the Environment
Nuclear energy is America’s largest source of clean-air, carbon-free electricity, producing no greenhouse gases or air pollutants. The industry’s commitment to the environment extends to protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Reliable and Affordable Energy
Nuclear power plants produce nearly 20 percent of U.S. electricity. No other source of electricity can provide the combined benefits of nuclear energy: large amounts of reliable and affordable electricity, long-term price stability and no greenhouse gas emissions.
New Nuclear Power Plants
The U.S. Department of Energy projects that U.S. electricity demand will rise 25 percent by 2030. That means our nation will need hundreds of new power plants to provide electricity for our homes and continued economic growth.
Safety and Security
The nation’s nuclear power plants are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the United States. Multiple layers of physical security, together with high levels of operational performance, protect plant workers, the public and the environment.
Managing Used Nuclear Fuel
Like other industrial facilities, nuclear power plants produce necessary waste byproducts. These include used nuclear fuel and less radioactive waste like filters, tools and protective clothing.
NEI Policy Highlights
U.S. Needs New Nuclear Plants to Meet Energy Demand, Maintain Supply Diversity
Nuclear power plants produce nearly 20 percent of U.S. electricity and are essential to helping meet growing demand for electricity and preserving the technology diversity that is the strength of the U.S. electric supply system.
Nuclear Energy Plays Essential Role in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Nuclear power plants generate more than 70 percent of all carbon-free electricity in America and are an essential mitigation tool for reducing greenhouse gases.