Nuclear energy in the U.S. - statistics & facts
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Nuclear power has been a significant energy source in the United States for decades as the nation's most important source of carbon-free electricity. The U.S. stands as a global leader in nuclear power, with reactors dotting the map across 28 states. The future of the industry remains uncertain and is currently in a precarious position. The reactors that once symbolized technological prowess and energy security are aging, their operational lifespans dwindling. With the licenses of nuclear plants expiring and maintenance costs soaring, the economic viability of these facilities is becoming increasingly uncertain.
The United States is one the largest consumer of nuclear power in the world, as well as the largest producer of this type of energy. Although the energy mix of the U.S. is still dominated by fossil fuels, namely natural gas and coal, the share of electricity generation from nuclear power in the U.S. has stood at around 20 percent since 1995, which was the highest level ever reached.
Despite the difficulties faced by the U.S. nuclear industry, recent policy changes may provide support to it. The Clean Power Plan of 2015 by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 are initiatives that aim to help the nuclear sector. Certain provisions, such as production tax credits scheduled to begin in 2024, could encourage the continuous operation of existing nuclear plants, and possibly stimulate investments in new nuclear technologies. However, it is uncertain whether these measures will be sufficient to revitalize the industry and ensure the long-term presence of nuclear power in the U.S. energy mix.
The United States is one the largest consumer of nuclear power in the world, as well as the largest producer of this type of energy. Although the energy mix of the U.S. is still dominated by fossil fuels, namely natural gas and coal, the share of electricity generation from nuclear power in the U.S. has stood at around 20 percent since 1995, which was the highest level ever reached.
The declining age of nuclear reactors in the U.S.
In 2023, there were 93 nuclear reactors in operation across the United States. The age of these nuclear power reactors is declining: all except two are more than 20 years old and almost 50 plants are over 40 years old. Many of them will require a license renewal before 2050 to continue operations. The vast majority of these plants will be covered for 60 years under the original 40-year license and 20-year license extension. Some of them, such as Turkey Point 3 & 4, obtained a license extension for up to 80 years of operation. The reactors Vogtle 3 & 4 were the only commercial nuclear facilities under construction in 2022. Their launch is planned for 2023, after 10 years of construction work. The construction of two other nuclear reactors, Turkey Point 6 & 7, was planned for the end of the 2020s.The struggles of the nuclear energy sector in the U.S.
The levelized cost of electricity production from nuclear sources in the U.S. is considerably higher than that from gas-fired and wind power plants, which, in addition, receive subsidies from the U.S. government. The competitiveness in deregulated electricity markets (approximately 50 percent of the nuclear electricity markets in the U.S.) led to early retirements of several nuclear facilities in the last few years when the operation and maintenance costs became unbearable.Despite the difficulties faced by the U.S. nuclear industry, recent policy changes may provide support to it. The Clean Power Plan of 2015 by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 are initiatives that aim to help the nuclear sector. Certain provisions, such as production tax credits scheduled to begin in 2024, could encourage the continuous operation of existing nuclear plants, and possibly stimulate investments in new nuclear technologies. However, it is uncertain whether these measures will be sufficient to revitalize the industry and ensure the long-term presence of nuclear power in the U.S. energy mix.
