The author would like to recognize former NA-YGN Public Information Chair Sarah Leversee as a co-contributor to this effort.
For a link to this document, click here.
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The North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN) unites young professionals who believe in nuclear science and technology and are working together throughout North America to share their passion for a field that is alive and kicking!
NA-YGN believes that nuclear energy must be part of our solution for a balanced and secure energy mix.
Nuclear energy is:
Safe and Secure
The nuclear industry’s safety performance is among the best of any energy sector. Nuclear plants are the most secure industrial facilities, and were so even prior to 9/11. The industry has invested $2.1 billion above its ongoing security expenses to enhance its security and safety measures [1].
Reliable
Since 1990, commercial U.S. nuclear power plant capacity factors have risen from 66% to nearly 92% in 2007 [2]. When combined with power uprates, this results in an output increase equivalent to adding 29 new 1000-megawatt power plants.
Nuclear power accounts for nearly 20% of all power production in the United States and 16% of all power production in the world [3,4].
Cost Competitive
Since 2006, the average electricity production cost for nuclear power was 1.72 cents per kilowatt-hour, versus 2.37 cents for coal-fired plants, 6.75 cents for gas, and 9.63 cents for petroleum [6].
Nuclear is the only power industry that accounts for all its byproducts and includes in its price the cost of waste management and plant decommissioning.
Clean
Nuclear energy is the world’s largest source of emissions-free energy. It accounts for 74% of emissions-free energy in the United States.
One uranium nuclear fuel pellet the size of the tip of your little finger can produce the equivalent amount of energy provided by 1,780 pounds of coal, 149 gallons of oil, or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas [5].
Engine for Job Creation
Construction of new reactors will yield an estimated 610,000 jobs in the nuclear industry. Currently, there are competitive opportunities for technicians, engineers and skilled trade workers ready to be filled [7].
The Future
The Department of Energy projects a 21 % increase in electricity demands by 2030. The nuclear industry has responded to the demand with 17 applications for 26 new reactors. These are currently being reviewed by the NRC [2].
The federal loan guarantee program is necessary component for building new nuclear power plants. Loan guarantees give the nuclear industry the financial stability to move forward with hiring and new plant construction.
1. Nuclear Energy Institute, Nuclear Power Plant Security, Accessed 31 January 2009 from http://www.nei.org/filefolder/Nuclear_Power_Plant_Security_Feb2008.pdf
2. United States Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Accessed 31 January 2009 from http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelnuclear.html
3. Nuclear Energy Institute, U.S. Electricity Generation Fuel Shares, Accessed 31 January 2009 from
http://www.nei.org/resourcesandstats/documentlibrary/reliableandaffordableenergy/graphicsandcharts/uselectricitygenerationfuelshares/
4. Nuclear Energy Institute, World Nuclear Power Generation and Capacity. Accessed 31 January 2009 from http://www.nei.org/resourcesandstats/documentlibrary/reliableandaffordableenergy/graphicsandcharts/worldnucleargenerationandcapacity/
5. Nuclear Energy Institute, Emissions Free Sources, Accessed 31 January 2009 from http://www.nei.org/filefolder/Infographic_Emission_Free_Sources_2007.jpg
6. Nuclear Energy Institute, U.S. Electricity Production Cost. Accessed 31 January 2009 from http://www.nei.org/filefolder/u.s._electricity_production_costs.ppt
7. Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, Job Creation in the Nuclear Renaissance, Accessed 31 January 2009 from http://www.cleansafeenergy.org/LinkClick.aspx?link=CASEnergywForewordpg.6.pdf&tabid=243
