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Solutions for Maintaining the Existing Nuclear Fleet

Solutions for Maintaining the Existing Nuclear Fleet

Full Title: Solutions for Maintaining the Existing Nuclear Fleet
Author(s): Doug Vine
Publisher(s): Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

Nuclear power is responsible for around 20 percent of U.S. electricity generation and more than 50 percent of its zero-emission generation. However, these large sources of zero-emission power are being prematurely retired with respect to their operating licenses because of low wholesale electricity prices resulting from low natural gas prices, excess power generation capacity, declining renewable energy costs, and low growth in electricity demand. Unfortunately, nuclear generation is largely being replaced by fossil fuel-fired electricity, sending U.S. emissions in the wrong direction. With a finite amount of carbon dioxide that we can emit before we reach 450 ppm and increase the likelihood of serious climate impacts, we cannot afford such backsliding.

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