CASEnergy Coalition

Nuclear Energy in Michigan

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 Michigan’s Donald C. Cook, Fermi and Palisades facilities generate more than 26 percent of the state’s electricity.

Demand for energy is expected to grow in Michigan and across the United States. In fact, the state has experienced an average growth in gross state product of 0.4 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 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.

In Michigan, Detroit Edison has filed a license application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build one new reactor at its Fermi site. Upon completion, the new unit will provide enough electricity to serve 1.2 million homes annually.

Providing Clean Electricity to Michigan

Emission-free sources like nuclear energy can help meet the growing electricity needs of both Michigan 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.

The Detroit-Ann Arbor area is designated as an area of “non-attainment” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s particulate matter 2.5 standard.

Michigan’s nuclear facilities supply 98 percent of the state’s emission-free power. In 2010 alone, the Donald C. Cook, Fermi and Palisades facilities improved air quality by avoiding the emission of:

• 84,000 tons of SO₂
• 26,000 tons of NO_x (equal to the amount of NO_x released by 1.3 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 Michigan and across the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, with additional capital investment to increase power output capacity at Michigan’s facilities, Donald C. Cook, Fermi and Palisades could supply 7 percent more electricity and avoid annual emissions of 5,900 tons of SO₂, 1,500 tons of NO_x and 1.8 million 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 plant.
• Jobs at U.S. nuclear energy facilities 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.