Nuclear Energy in Arizona
Energy Overview
Nuclear energy is a vital part of America’s energy portfolio. Nuclear energy already provides 20 percent of the country’s electricity, and Arizona’s multi-unit Palo Verde system generates nearly 28 percent of the state’s electricity.
Demand for energy is expected to grow in Arizona and across the United States. In fact, the state has experienced an average growth in gross state product of 0.5 percent per year over the past five years, while our country’s electricity needs are forecast to increase about 25 percent by 2035. In order to meet future electricity demands, the U.S. will need to embrace a broad portfolio of American-produced energy solutions, and nuclear energy must be a part of that mix.
Nuclear energy is a cost-effective and reliable energy source, producing affordable, on-demand electricity at 91 percent efficiency. Nuclear energy also supports clean air, land, water and wildlife, providing the majority of our nation’s emission-free energy. Safely serving as a workhorse of the country’s electric grid for more than four decades, nuclear energy is essential to our everyday lives.
Providing Clean Electricity to Arizona
Emission-free sources like nuclear energy can help meet the growing electricity needs of both Arizona and the United States without polluting the air. Nuclear energy has perhaps the lowest impact on the environment of any other energy source and is one of the nation’s largest sources of electricity that produces virtually no greenhouse gases. Nuclear energy provides more than 70 percent of the country’s emission-free electricity, helping to keep our air clean.
In Arizona, multiple counties have been designated as areas of “non-attainment” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that pollution levels persistently exceed national ambient air quality standards.
The Palo Verde nuclear energy facility supplies 82 percent of Arizona’s emission-free power. In 2010 alone, the Palo Verde facility improved air quality by avoiding the emission of:
- 13,000 tons of SO2
- 31,000 tons of NOx (equal to the amount of NOx released by 1.6 million passenger cars annually)
- 23 million metric tons of CO2
Moving forward with the next generation of new nuclear energy facilities will ensure economic prosperity and the continued development of sustainable energy in Arizona and across the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, with additional capital investment to increase power output capacity at Arizona’s facility, Palo Verde could supply one percent more electricity and avoid annual emissions of 185 tons of SO2, 400 tons of NOx and 290,000 metric tons of CO2.
Creating American Jobs and Stimulating the U.S. Economy
American-produced energy sources like nuclear power boost economic growth and support high-paying jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. On average:
- A nuclear energy facility creates 1,400-1,800 high-paying jobs during construction, with peak employment estimated as high as 3,500 jobs during that period, and yields 400-700 jobs during the operation of the facility.
- Jobs at U.S. nuclear facilities today pay 36 percent more than the average salaries in the local area.
The average nuclear energy facility generates approximately $470 million a year in total output for the local community and nearly $40 million per year in total labor income.
Sources: Energy Information Administration and NEI
