Full Title: Preserving America’s Clean Energy Foundation
Author(s): Amber Robson
Publisher(s): Third Way
Publication Date: December 1, 2016
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
The United States is on course to a clean energy future. Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO ) from the U.S. power sector have dropped 20% since 2005 and are now at their lowest level since 1993. Yet the very foundation of this clean energy progress is starting to crumble. Dozens of nuclear power plants across the country are facing economic headwinds and are at risk of imminent closure, threatening to undermine the nation’s clean energy goals. Already, six nuclear reactors have closed permanently since 2013, and retirement plans have recently been announced for eight more reactors. The closure of each one of these power plants is a huge step backwards for the country, representing the loss of enough clean energy to power a medium-sized city. In addition, the 99 nuclear reactors in the U.S. generate substantial domestic economic value— $40-$50 billion each year — with over 100,000 workers contributing to production. These plants represent half of that economic activity