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Clean Energy Source<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nuclear is the\u00a0largest source of clean power<\/a>\u00a0in the United States. It generates nearly 800 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year and produces more than half\u00a0of the nation\u2019s emissions-free electricity. This avoids\u00a0more than 470\u00a0million metric tons<\/a>\u00a0of carbon each year, which is the equivalent of removing 100\u00a0million cars off of the road.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The thermal energy from nuclear reactors may also be used to\u00a0decarbonize other energy-intensive sectors\u00a0such as transportation\u00a0\u2013 the largest contributor to carbon pollution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most Reliable Energy Source<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nuclear power plants run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are designed to operate for longer stretches and refuel every 1.5 \u2013 2 years. In 2019, nuclear plants operated at full power more than 92% of the time, making it\u00a0the most reliable energy source\u00a0on the grid today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Creates Jobs<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The nuclear industry supports nearly half a million jobs in the United States and contributes an estimated $60 billion to the U.S.\u00a0gross domestic product each year.\u00a0 U.S. nuclear plants can employ up to 700 workers with\u00a0salaries that are 30% higher<\/a>\u00a0than the local average. They also contribute billions of dollars annually to local economies through federal and state tax revenues.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Supports National Security<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A strong civilian nuclear sector is essential to U.S. national security and energy diplomacy. The United States must maintain its global leadership in this arena to influence the peaceful use of nuclear technologies. The U.S. government works with countries in this capacity to\u00a0build relationships<\/a>\u00a0and develop new opportunities for the nation\u2019s nuclear technologies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Public Awareness<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Commercial nuclear power is sometimes viewed by the general public as a dangerous or unstable process. This perception is often based on three global nuclear accidents, its false association with nuclear weapons, and\u00a0how it is portrayed<\/a>\u00a0on popular television shows and films.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DOE and its national labs are working with industry to\u00a0develop new reactors<\/a>\u00a0and fuels that will increase the overall performance of these technologies and reduce the amount of nuclear waste that is produced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DOE also works to provide accurate, fact-based information about nuclear energy through its social media and\u00a0STEM outreach<\/a>\u00a0efforts to educate the public on the benefits of nuclear energy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Used Fuel Transportation, Storage and Disposal<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many people view used fuel as a growing problem and are apprehensive about its transportation, storage, and disposal. DOE is responsible for the eventual disposal and associated transport of all\u00a0commercial used fuel<\/a>, which is currently securely stored at 76 reactor or storage sites in 34 states. For the foreseeable future, this fuel can safely remain at these facilities until a permanent disposal solution is determined by Congress.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DOE is currently evaluating nuclear power plant sites and nearby transportation infrastructure to support the eventual transport of used fuel away from these sites. It is also developing new,\u00a0specially designed railcars<\/a>\u00a0to support large-scale transport of used fuel in the future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Constructing New Power Plants<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Building a nuclear power plant can be discouraging for stakeholders. Conventional reactor designs are considered multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects. High capital costs, licensing and regulation approvals, coupled with long lead times and construction delays, have also deterred public interest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DOE is rebuilding its nuclear workforce by\u00a0supporting the construction<\/a>\u00a0of two new reactors at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia. The units are the first new reactors to begin construction in the United States in more than 30 years. The expansion project will support up to 9,000 workers at peak construction and create 800 permanent jobs at the facility when the new units begin operation in 2021 and 2022.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DOE is also supporting the development of smaller reactor designs, such as\u00a0microreactors<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0small modular reactors<\/a>, that will offer even more flexibility in size and power capacity to the customer. These factory-built systems are expected to dramatically reduce construction timelines and will make nuclear more affordable to build and operate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n High Operating Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Challenging market conditions have left the nuclear industry struggling to compete. Strict regulations on maintenance, staffing levels, operator training, and plant inspections have become a financial burden for the industry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DOE\u2019s\u00a0Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program<\/a>\u00a0is working to overcome these economic challenges by modernizing plant systems to reduce operation and maintenance costs, while improving performance. In addition to its materials research that supports the long-term operation of the nation\u2019s fleet of reactors, the program is also looking to diversify plant products through non-electric applications such as water desalination and\u00a0hydrogen production<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nChallenges of Nuclear Energy<\/h3>\n
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