Population and energy consumption are inextricably connected—a correlation that is amplified by our dependence on technology to support all aspects of our everyday lives. From smart grids and smart homes to electric bicycles, scooters, vehicles and public transportation—the more Americans own and use these technologies, the more energy is consumed.

More than 331 million people live in the United States, according to the 2020 Census results released in April, yet more than half (54 percent) live in just ten states. Specifically, one in five Americans reside in either California or Texas—the two most populous states—which together make up roughly as many people as the 27 least populous states combined.

It’s no surprise that the ten states with the largest population sizes lead the country in terms of energy consumption. But how do they stack up in terms of the proportion of supply that comes from carbon-free generation sources?

The Biden administration has made it a priority to decarbonize the power sector by 2035. As of 2020, 35 percent of total electricity generation in the country’s most populated states came from zero-carbon sources. Reaching our climate goals will require utilizing all of the carbon-free energy tools we have. That includes action at both the state and federal levels to support the transition to a zero-carbon economy.
 
Currently, only three of the most populated states—California, New York and Michigan—have made commitments to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity. Just two—New York and Illinois—are already generating more than half of their electricity from zero-carbon sources and nuclear makes up at least half of the carbon-free energy production in both states. Getting the remaining 65 percent carbon-free over the next 14 years will be a challenge, but not impossible.

Energy consumption in the most populated states is only part of the story

The 2020 Census also revealed another trend: a massive migration from more to less populated states. Ten states are now experiencing rapid growth in population size.

With the electrification of everything, states face the challenge of increasing electricity generation while meeting their decarbonization goals. For the fastest growing states in the country, the pressure to keep up with the demand is even higher.

In these states, 36 percent of electricity generated comes from clean energy sources, and nuclear energy provides a path to further increase their share of carbon-free generation. States like Utah, Idaho and Nebraska are looking at their future energy needs and evaluating the role of advanced nuclear reactors that will pair well with wind and solar.
 
Meanwhile, two proposed advanced nuclear projects in the West are well-positioned to provide carbon-free electricity to meet the increased demand in those states with the fastest growing population sizes within the decade. The Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems’ Carbon Free Power Project will provide clean electricity from Nuscale’s small modular reactors in Idaho to communities across the Intermountain West. In Wyoming, Pacific Corp is partnering with Rocky Mountain Power to advance the Natrium reactor demonstration project at the site of a coal plant designated for retirement, marking the nation’s first coal to nuclear transition.
 
As states continue to grow and the country transitions to a zero-carbon grid, details from the Census can help guide how we plan for and deploy carbon-free generation in anticipation of future demand. Nuclear energy is well-positioned to meet the moment—already making up 60 percent of the carbon-free energy in the 10 most populous states, while generating more than half of all the carbon-free energy in the U.S.

Investing in promising new technologies, like advanced nuclear designs, and increasing our commitment to existing sources is not only the best the path to meeting the nation’s climate commitments, it’s the only one.