Efforts to protect the climate are gaining momentum in Washington, D.C., but the real battle for America’s clean energy future is being fought in states where nuclear plants—and the large amount of carbon-free electricity they provide—are in jeopardy. The legislative solutions that will allow us to power our way of life without carbon emissions are being developed now and states like Pennsylvania are leading the way.
This week, Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced the Keep Powering Pennsylvania Act, which would amend the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard to include nuclear energy—a measure that would compensate nuclear plants for providing more than 93 percent of the state’s carbon-free electricity.
The program is “[n]o different than how we are currently valuing the benefits of other carbon-free electric generation methods,” said state Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R), who sponsored the bill. “If our state really wants to move forward with a cleaner environment, there is simply no way possible we can get there without our nuclear power plants being open.”
And Mehaffie is right: Nuclear energy provides more than 41 percent of the state’s electricity while preventing more than 37 million metric tons of CO2 per year. It’s an essential part of any solution to reduce carbon emissions in the state.
The measure is “a critical step toward preserving Pennsylvania’s largest source of clean energy,” said NEI President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Korsnick. “Including nuclear in the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards sends a clear message that all carbon-free sources should be valued in the same way.”
The bill also protects Pennsylvania jobs. The nuclear industry contributes nearly $2 billion to Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product, approximately 16,000 direct and indirect full-time jobs—supporting 500 companies—and more than $400 million in annual state and federal taxes.
As Capitol Hill debates the best way to a clean energy future, states are pursuing legislative actions to preserve their largest carbon-free electricity sources. If the measure passes, Pennsylvania will join New York, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey as states that have taken action to compensate nuclear plants for the carbon-free electricity they provide.
If we say we want to reduce carbon emissions and protect the climate, we can’t afford to lose nuclear energy. It’s that simple.
Top image: Shutterstock/Jon Bilous
