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Clean Energy is Important

You care about the environment; so do nuclear power plants. And national research has found that women—with and without children—say leaving a better planet for the next generation is their most important goal when it comes to electricity—more than those who cite reliability and cost.

Your family’s health is paramount.

We know because we have families too. 70 percent of women say they are very or somewhat worried about the impact of air pollution on their own, as well as their children’s, health.

Nuclear Clean Air Energy is a fact worth sharing with Americans from coast to coast as we raise our children, earn a living and make decisions on how to power our planet for this generation and generations to come. We should plan for our energy future so we are not caught unprepared.

Going green means having an understanding of the impact of electricity production on the planet.

To compare the greenhouse gas impacts of electricity generation from various fuel sources, generating one million kilowatt hours of electricity produces:

• 996 metric tons of carbon dioxide from a coal-fired plant
• 809 metric tons of carbon dioxide from an oil-fired plant
• 476 metric tons of carbon dioxide from a natural gas-fired
 plant
• ZERO from a nuclear power plant.

Nuclear is in the mix for a clean air portfolio of electricity generation.

Renewable energy such as wind and solar will be a growing part of our country’s energy future, along with large-scale sources like nuclear energy that produce electricity around the clock.

We need electricity every minute of every day to drive our economy and standard of living. Nuclear energy, along with renewable energy sources, can lead the way to a comprehensive portfolio of cleaner energy options that protects the environment and promotes energy security.

“"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