Key Issues
Reliable & Affordable Energy
America’s 104 reactors in 31 states have made tremendous efficiency gains over the past dozen years, producing 806.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2007. Nuclear plants can help meet rising electricity demand as our economy and population expand.
Electricity Supply, Economic Growth and Energy Diversity
Electricity Supply
Nuclear plants are the lowest-cost producer of baseload electricity. The average production cost of 1.76 cents per kilowatt-hour includes the costs of operating and maintaining the plant, purchasing fuel and paying for the management of used fuel.
Economic Growth
By providing a reliable and affordable source of electricity, nuclear energy helps keep American business competitive. Nuclear plants also are engines of local job growth.
Energy Diversity
The United States relies on diverse sources for electricity. Together, coal and nuclear energy provide almost 70 percent of supply. Natural gas supplies 21.5 percent; hydropower, 5.8 percent; oil, 1.6 percent; and renewable and other sources, 3.2 percent.
