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Nuclear Energy

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Nuclear Energy

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    1. Nuclear Energy

    2. Our Society Requires Energy Our complex society runs on energy. Increasingly, that energy is electricity. Not only do our economy and daily lives depend upon electricity, but also our government and major defense systems, airports and trains, and telecommunications. Our digital economy depends upon electricity to operate servers and networks. Even traditional industries are computerized and automated as never before. All would grind to a halt without electricity. Our complex society runs on energy. Increasingly, that energy is electricity. Not only do our economy and daily lives depend upon electricity, but also our government and major defense systems, airports and trains, and telecommunications. Our digital economy depends upon electricity to operate servers and networks. Even traditional industries are computerized and automated as never before. All would grind to a halt without electricity.

    3. What Do These Trends Tell Us? Since 1973, the use of non-electric forms of energy has remained relatively flat at 21 percent. But the use of electricity has increased by 66 percent—somewhat less than the gross domestic product at 80 percent. Clearly, electricity has become America's chosen energy source. Since 1973, the use of non-electric forms of energy has remained relatively flat at 21 percent. But the use of electricity has increased by 66 percent—somewhat less than the gross domestic product at 80 percent. Clearly, electricity has become America's chosen energy source.

    4. By 2020, U.S. Electricity Needs Will Increase by 44% The Department of Energy says the United States will need 44 percent more electricity by 2020 to meet our growing energy demands. The Department of Energy says the United States will need 44 percent more electricity by 2020 to meet our growing energy demands.

    5. Energy Conservation Won’t Be Enough Energy conservation and efficiency can help. But they won't be enough. America will have to generate more electricity and build more power lines in the years ahead. Energy conservation and efficiency can help. But they won't be enough. America will have to generate more electricity and build more power lines in the years ahead.

    6. 50% of U.S. Electricity Supplied by Coal Today, half of U.S. electricity comes from coal-fired plants—more than from any other source. This machine is leveling the coal pile at a coal-fired plant, so it can be fed evenly into the plant. Today, half of U.S. electricity comes from coal-fired plants—more than from any other source. This machine is leveling the coal pile at a coal-fired plant, so it can be fed evenly into the plant.

    7. 20% of U.S. Electricity Supplied by Nuclear Energy One-fifth of our electricity comes from nuclear energy. It’s America's second-largest source after coal One-fifth of our electricity comes from nuclear energy. It’s America's second-largest source after coal

    8. 16% of U.S. Electricity Supplied by Natural Gas Sixteen percent of our electricity comes from natural gas. Sixteen percent of our electricity comes from natural gas.

    9. 7% of U.S. Electricity Supplied by Hydroelectric Seven percent comes from hydroelectric power. Seven percent comes from hydroelectric power.

    10. 3% of U.S. Electricity Supplied by Oil Three percent comes from oil. Three percent comes from oil.

    11. 2% of U.S. Electricity Supplied by Renewables Two percent comes from renewable sources, like solar and wind energy. Two percent comes from renewable sources, like solar and wind energy.

    12. Since 1973, the U.S. Has Used More Nuclear Energy, Less Oil Nuclear energy has helped America achieve greater energy independence. In 1973, about 17 percent of U.S. electricity was made by burning oil, and about 5 percent from nuclear energy. Today, oil represents 3 percent, while nuclear supplies 20 percent. Since 1973, nuclear energy has substituted for over 2.5 billion barrels of oil and reduced the U.S. trade deficit by billions of dollars. Nuclear energy has helped America achieve greater energy independence. In 1973, about 17 percent of U.S. electricity was made by burning oil, and about 5 percent from nuclear energy. Today, oil represents 3 percent, while nuclear supplies 20 percent. Since 1973, nuclear energy has substituted for over 2.5 billion barrels of oil and reduced the U.S. trade deficit by billions of dollars.

    13. U.S. Sources of Emission-Free Generation (2000) Nuclear energy is also America's cleanest large-scale source of electricity, representing two-thirds of the nation’s emission-free electricity generation. Because it doesn't burn fossil fuels, it doesn't produce air pollution. By using nuclear energy instead of other fuels, electric utilities reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, the principal "greenhouse" gas. Each year, U.S. nuclear plants prevent the discharge of 174 million metric tons of carbon. Nuclear energy is also America's cleanest large-scale source of electricity, representing two-thirds of the nation’s emission-free electricity generation. Because it doesn't burn fossil fuels, it doesn't produce air pollution. By using nuclear energy instead of other fuels, electric utilities reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, the principal "greenhouse" gas. Each year, U.S. nuclear plants prevent the discharge of 174 million metric tons of carbon.

    14. France Reduced Air Pollution by Using More Nuclear Energy Other nations have discovered the environmental benefits of nuclear energy. France, for example, tripled its use of nuclear energy during the 1980s due to concerns about imported oil. During that same period, total air pollution from the French electric power system dropped by about 90 percent. Other nations have discovered the environmental benefits of nuclear energy. France, for example, tripled its use of nuclear energy during the 1980s due to concerns about imported oil. During that same period, total air pollution from the French electric power system dropped by about 90 percent.

    15. New Plants in 10 Countries That's a major reason why more than 435 nuclear plants operate in more than 30 countries around the world. New nuclear power plants are under construction around the world in 10 countries. That's a major reason why more than 435 nuclear plants operate in more than 30 countries around the world. New nuclear power plants are under construction around the world in 10 countries.

    16. Advanced Design Nuclear Power Plants Increasingly, they will be building advanced-design nuclear power plants, like this one in Japan—the world's first advanced boiling-water reactor. Two reactors of this type were completed in 1997. Increasingly, they will be building advanced-design nuclear power plants, like this one in Japan—the world's first advanced boiling-water reactor. Two reactors of this type were completed in 1997.

    17. Three Advanced Plant Designs in the U.S. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved three designs for construction in the U.S. These advanced plants incorporate all the lessons the nuclear industry has learned in 40 years of operations. They are less expensive and faster to build, and even safer to operate than today's plants. Also, several other new plant designs are being developed with today’s business environment in mind. They are smaller and modular, so that new plants can be added to a site as needed. Also, they have simplified safety systems that work automatically through the forces of nature The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved three designs for construction in the U.S. These advanced plants incorporate all the lessons the nuclear industry has learned in 40 years of operations. They are less expensive and faster to build, and even safer to operate than today's plants. Also, several other new plant designs are being developed with today’s business environment in mind. They are smaller and modular, so that new plants can be added to a site as needed. Also, they have simplified safety systems that work automatically through the forces of nature

    18. Preserving Emission-Free Electricity for Vision 2020 Nuclear energy will be a vital component of a diverse electric supply portfolio to meet our future electricity needs. The industry has launched Vision 2020—a program to build 50,000 megawatts of new nuclear power—about the same amount of total electricity used in New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The industry will also continue to increase efficiency of its current 103 reactors—gaining an additional 10,000 megawatts. Nuclear energy will be a vital component of a diverse electric supply portfolio to meet our future electricity needs. The industry has launched Vision 2020—a program to build 50,000 megawatts of new nuclear power—about the same amount of total electricity used in New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The industry will also continue to increase efficiency of its current 103 reactors—gaining an additional 10,000 megawatts.

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