CASEnergy Coalition

Nuclear Energy in Georgia

Energy Overview

Nuclear energy is a vital part of America’s energy portfolio, providing 20 percent of the country’s electricity.  In Georgia, the multi-unit systems at Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch generate nearly 25 percent of the state’s electricity.

On Feb. 9, 2012, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted Georgia’s Plant Vogtle Combined Construction and Operating Licenses (COLs) to build two new reactors at the site, marking the first time licenses were granted for new nuclear facilities in 30 years. The new facilities represent the “next generation” of reactors and will help the state meet rising electricity demands and emissions reduction goals.  The licenses also signify good news for the 11 combined license applications currently under NRC review for 18 new nuclear energy facilities.

Energy demands are expected to increase in Georgia and across the United States in the years ahead. Georgia has experienced an average growth in gross state product of 1.1 percent per year over the past five years, and will need new sources of power to keep its economy growing.  Nationally, our country’s electricity needs are forecast to grow by about 25 percent by 2035. In order to meet future electricity demands, the United States 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 Georgia

Emission-free sources like nuclear energy can help meet the growing electricity needs of both Georgia 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 Georgia, 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 Hatch and Vogtle nuclear energy facilities supply 90 percent of Georgia’s emission-free power. In 2010 alone, these facilities improved air quality by avoiding the emission of:

• 74,000 tons of SO₂
• 23,000 tons of NO_x (equal to the amount of NO_x released by 1.2 million passenger cars annually)
• 27 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 Georgia and across the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, with additional capital investment to increase power output capacity at the Hatch Vogtle nuclear energy facilities could supply two percent more electricity and avoid annual emissions of 1,400 tons of SO₂, 420 tons of NO_x and 500,000 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.

• The two new reactors at Plant Vogtle represent the state’s largest construction project ever.  More than 1,750 people are already at work, and Georgia Power projects double the amount of workers between 2011 and 2017. Additionally, nearly 35,000 jobs in 29 states are expected to support the project.
• This expansion is expected to create more than 3,000 new jobs at peak construction in 2014, along with up to 800 full-time positions once the reactors are producing electricity for nearly 1.6 million Georgia homes.
• If we make the commitment necessary to expand nuclear energy as part of a balanced energy portfolio, we could see more than 14,000 new American jobs at other new reactors, plus another 25,000 hires at existing facilities to replace personnel expected to retire in the next five years.
• Jobs at U.S. nuclear facilities today pay 36 percent more than the average salaries in the local area.
• The construction and operation of new nuclear energy facilities will bring billions of dollars to state and local economies, and supply-chain opportunities will expand economic activity to include manufacturers and workers nationwide. About 90 percent of the components and materials used in the U.S.-designed reactors that will be built at Plant Vogtle will be produced in America.