Energy security

We need nuclear power

More and more Americans are accepting the fact of climate change and the need to reduce carbon pollution. Many understand and, like me, support the important role that wind, solar, and energy efficiency play and can play in meeting the objective of reducing carbon pollution. However, what many people often overlook is the role existing nuclear energy plants play in ensuring less carbon pollution.

The existing nuclear energy plants prevent over 531 million tons of carbon pollution per year. Fortunately, in recent months, states have made positive headway in introducing measures that recognize the role of nuclear power.

New York just became the first state to include nuclear energy in its clean energy policy by providing a mechanism that values nuclear's carbon free electricity. Under the Clean Energy Standard (CES), nuclear power in New York was recognized for its contribution to meeting the state's carbon reduction goals. New York basically acknowledged that without nuclear power, the state would be unable to reach its carbon pollution reduction targets.