Key Issues
Nuclear Energy and the Environment
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November 2008
Key Facts
November 2008
Key Facts
- Nuclear power plants generate about 20 percent of U.S. electricity. They do not burn anything when producing electricity, so they do not produce any greenhouse gases or combustion byproducts. By substituting for other fuels in the electricity sector, nuclear energy has significantly reduced U.S. emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
- About one-quarter of America’s electricity comes from clean-air sources, including nuclear power plants, hydroelectric plants, and wind and solar energy facilities.
- Nuclear energy is the only large-scale, clean-air electricity source that can be expanded widely to produce large amounts of energy. Nuclear energy makes up nearly 74 percent of all the nation’s clean-air electricity generation.
- In 2007, U.S. nuclear power plants prevented the emission of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide—pollutants controlled under the Clean Air Act—by 1 million short tons and 3 million short tons, respectively. The amount of nitrogen oxide emissions that nuclear plants prevent annually is the equivalent of taking more than 51 million passenger cars off the road.
- Also in 2007, U.S. nuclear plants prevented the emissions of almost 693 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This is nearly as much carbon dioxide as is released from all U.S. passenger cars.
- Environmental responsibility is an important part of nuclear power plant management. The companies that operate nuclear power plants voluntarily work to protect nearby wildlife and their habitats.
