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Sorting through the issues is needed now more than ever.

As Americans, we value the safety and security of nuclear plants; we need affordable and reliable (24/7/365) electricity, and we have recognized that we want all of this from clean sources.

SAFE AND SECURE

Read more on safety and security of the U.S. nuclear fleet
Multiple layers of physical security, together with high levels of operational performance, protect plant workers, the public and the environment
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CLEAN

For more information on clean nuclear electricity
CASEnergy’s Four Point Roadmap for Clean Energy

AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE

Important to Americans, read more here
We need to focus on clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable sources of energy that can help us right now—today.

The facts are clear and surprising relative to the pollution being made by electricity generation for our planet:

• The process of generating electricity is the single largest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the U.S., surpassing emissions from transportation, industrial facilities and other sources.
• Nearly 40 percent of these gases from man-made sources in the U.S. come from fossil-fuel electric power plants.
• Nuclear power plants and renewable sources like hydro, wind and solar produce almost no greenhouse emissions in the production of electricity.

Positive impacts are being made by nuclear energy.

The amounts of emissions avoided are staggering and impressive:

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Energy Information Administration, the single most effective emission control strategy for utilities was to increase nuclear generation.
• Nuclear generated electricity avoids almost 650 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year in the U.S. This is nearly as much carbon dioxide as is released from all U.S. passenger cars. Additionally, nuclear generation of electricity avoids more than half a million tons of nitrogen oxide and two million tons of sulfur dioxide annually in the United States.
• Worldwide nuclear energy avoids on average the emissions of about 2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

“"Though we may be concerned about the rising price of gasoline today, our real challenge is preparing now for an energy future that reduces our reliance on foreign energy and invests in long-term, environmentally friendly options.” - Marv Fertel, CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute
The National Journal, March 10, 2011

Japan

The nuclear energy industry is working internationally to support Japan and the nuclear industry as they work heroically through the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

There is a strong safety culture in the U.S. nuclear fleet and the highest standards for safety and public health are maintained. The industry is already conducting reviews; lessons learned from the events will be incorporated; and new NRC reviews to assure the public of safety preparedness is welcomed.

The U.S. nuclear industry has thousands of dedicated plant employees that undergo the world’s toughest standards for operation, preparedness and training. Americans should know that we have our own brand of everyday heroes at nuclear power plants who work insistently to safeguard the public health of the communities where we live, for the neighbors we serve, and to see how this passion translates to everyday excellence and overall safety.

The industry is working to restore American trust in the strength of our nuclear energy systems, the rigor of our oversight and to the promise of clean, affordable and—above all—safe nuclear power.

See Frequently Asked Questions: Japanese Nuclear Energy Situation from the nuclear Energy Institute; also, for complete coverage of the incident, see NEI’s page on Information on the Japan Earthquake and Reactors in That Region.
How safe are U.S. nuclear reactors—Putting safety first