Resources & Stats

In May 2010, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) introduced the American Power Act of 2010. The bill aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and more than 80 percent by 2050. Under Title I, “Domestic Clean Energy Development,” the bill states, “It is the policy of the United States, given the importance of transitioning to a clean energy, low-carbon economy, to facilitate the continued development of a safe and clean nuclear energy industry.” 

According to EPA’s analysis of the legislation, released in June, nuclear energy is projected to generate 44.2 percent of U.S. electricity in 2050, more than any other source. Total nuclear capacity is projected to more than double from 101 gigawatts in 2010 to 256 gigawatts in 2050 (assuming an average capacity factor of 90 percent). This means that if all existing operating reactors in the United States retire at 60 years, the United States will need to build another 253 gigawatts or 181 new reactors (assuming 1,400-megawatt reactors).