Multiple Benefits

Nuclear power is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly sources of energy available.

• Nuclear energy provides an abundant supply of economical, efficient and reliable baseload electricity
• Nuclear generated electricity does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, so the life cycle of nuclear energy is much cleaner than that of other sources such as coal or natural gas.
• The nuclear power industry is well-regulated and monitored to ensure the safety of workers and the public.
• The nuclear energy industry increases technological and human capital

Comparing Generation Sources

Economical Electricity

Unquestionably, nuclear power plants are expensive to build. The economics of new builds are multifaceted. They rely on complex capital structures, political and socioeconomic forces along with long, intricate construction and regulatory approval processes among other factors.

However, once those builds have been completed, the operational efficiency and low fuel costs provide for baseload electricity generation that is highly competitive with all other forms of electricity generation. Nuclear fuel costs are approximately 31% of the total annual operating costs at nuclear power plants, whereas coal fuel costs are about 78% and natural gas is about 88%.

Despite higher start-up costs, nuclear power has outperformed coal, gas and oil in terms of low-cost, baseload generation for over a decade. This translates into affordable, clean energy solutions around the world.

US Electricity Production Costs

2000-2011, in 2011 cents per kilowatt-hour

*Production Costs = Operations and Maintenance Costs + Fuel Cost