As reported by the Nuclear Energy Institute, Nuclear energy is the United States' largest source of emission-free electricity and second largest source of power. Additionally, nuclear power has the lowest production cost and highest capacity factor of the major sources of electricity. The 103 U.S. nuclear units supply approximately 20% of the electricity produced in the United States. Nuclear is a chief contributor to national energy security, as well, nuclear energy is not subject to unreliable weather or climate conditions, unpredictable cost fluctuations, or dependence on foreign suppliers. Adding to their reliability, nuclear power plants are designed to operate continuously for long periods of time. They can run approximately 540 – 730 days before they are shut down for refueling. The average one thousand (1000) megawatt nuclear plant will generate approximately a million dollars per day ninety to ninety-five percent (90% - 95%) of the year.
Natural gas, petroleum and coal prices are continuing to rise due to recently increased prices of fossil fuel, resulting in demand for fully electric homes and electric automobiles. Not only does nuclear energy present the most cost-effective solution, it is also the most "eco-efficient" of all energy sources because it produces the most electricity in relation to its minimal environmental impact. Nuclear power plants do not emit harmful gases, require a relatively small area, do not deplete natural resources (such as fossil fuels), and effectively mitigate other impacts. Resultantly, they cause no significant adverse effects to water, land, habitat, species and air resources. Leading environmentalists, including the founder of Greenpeace and the former chairman of Friends of the Earth, have endorsed nuclear energy as the only large-scale, non-emitting, affordable energy source that can address both global warming and sustainable development. |
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