Nuclear Energy in Massachusetts
Energy Overview
In 2006, the Pilgrim nuclear power plant produced over 5 million Megawatt Hours (5,829,658 MWh) of electricity and operated at over 95.7% capacity. Pilgrim is also a part of theNew England Grid (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) which in 2006 was expected to consume 3.554 quadrillion Btu’s of electricity. By the year 2030, the New England Grid will require 4.221 quadrillion Btu’s of electricity per year, a 16% increase from 2006.
Clean Air Benefits
All of Massachusetts has been designated as areas of “non-attainment” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which means pollution levels persistently exceed national ambient air quality standards. Ozone and other air pollutants like soot and smog have can have major effects of concern for human health, including respiratory impairment in young children and the elderly. Pilgrim nuclear power plant supplies emission-free power and help improve the air quality.
Nuclear energy produces no harmful greenhouse gases or gases that could produce ground-level ozone formation, smog or acid rain.
Massachusetts’ nuclear power plants avoided the emission of 8,000 tons of SO2; 2,100 tons of NOx; and 3.4 million metric tons of CO2 in 2006.
What does this mean? 2,000 tons of NOx are released into the air every year by 110,000 passenger cars – there are only 3.4 million cars registered in Massachusetts.
TheDepartment of Energy estimates that Massachusetts’ nuclear power plants could supply 12% more electricity and avoid annual emissions of 1,000 tons of SO2, 300 tons of NOx and 340,000 metric tons of CO2.
Economic Benefits
Nuclear power plants are good for Massachusetts’ economy, which has grown 1.7 % each year over the past 5 years. If a new plant were built, it would provide:
1,400 to 1,800 construction jobs, with the majority at the plant site; 400-500 full-time, skilled professional worker jobs; and 400-500 jobs for the surrounding communities.
Employees at U.S. nuclear plants earn salaries approximately 40% more than average earnings in communities near the plants. The average annual salary for nuclear engineers was $80,000 in 2003.
Did You Know. . .?
On a cross-country flight, you will receive an average of 3-5 millirems of radiation. This is more than you would receive standing at the gate of a nuclear power plant 24 hours a day for a year. (Source: DOE)
The energy in one uranium fuel pellet – the size of the tip of your little finger – generates the same amount of electricity as 1,780 pounds of coal, 149 gallons of oil, and 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas.