What’s New? NEI member company Duke Energy announced today that to achieve its aggressive carbon emission reduction targets it plans to extend the life of its entire fleet of nuclear power plants. Duke Energy said in a statement it will pursue second license renewal, which if approved would enable the 11 nuclear power reactors the company operates to keep producing clean, reliable electricity for another 20 years beyond their current lifespans.
Fast Facts:
- Nuclear power plants provide 55 percent of America’s carbon-free electricity. Utilities, policymakers and experts are finding that achieving carbon reduction goals is not feasible without a contribution from nuclear energy and seek to prolong the lives of nuclear power plants.
- Nuclear plants are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate for 40 years and can extend their licenses for up to 20 years at a time. Duke Energy is the fourth utility to announce plants are seeking second license extensions to keep producing emission-free power for another 20 years.
- Duke Energy operates 11 reactors at six sites in the Carolinas with a capacity to produce nearly 11,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 7 million homes.
What Maria Korsnick, president and CEO of NEI, had to say: “Duke Energy has made the bold, far-sighted decision to extend the lives of all its nuclear power plants, because like other electricity producers it recognizes that it cannot reach its carbon emission reduction target without them. As America’s largest source of carbon emissions-free power, keeping our nuclear plants operating is a critical factor in meeting climate and energy goals.”
The Big Picture: A growing consensus by scientists and voices within the environmental community agree that nuclear energy is essential for decarbonization. Duke Energy’s announcement is one of the many examples of how nuclear energy is an important driver to meeting climate goals.
What to Look for Next: Almost all operating U.S. nuclear power reactors have applied with the NRC for an initial license extension. NEI expects that other utilities will follow Duke Energy’s lead and pursue second license extension for their nuclear power plants to meet their own climate and other goals.
Available Expert: To speak with a NEI expert contact [email protected] or 202.739.8156.
