CASEnergy Coalition

Nuclear Energy in Texas

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 Texas’ dual-unit Comanche Peak and South Texas systems generate more than 10 percent of the state’s electricity.

Demand for energy is expected to grow in Texas and across the United States. In fact, the state has experienced an average growth in gross state product of 2.9 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 Texas

Emission-free sources like nuclear energy can help meet the growing electricity needs of both Texas 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 Texas, 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 Comanche Peak and South Texas nuclear energy facilities supplies 60 percent of Texas’ emission-free power. In 2010 alone, the Comanche Peak and South Texas facilities improved air quality by avoiding the emission of:

• 64,000 tons of SO₂
• 17,000 tons of NO_x (equal to the amount of NO_x released by 898,000 passenger cars annually)
• 30 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 Texas and across the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, with additional capital investment to increase power output capacity at Texas’ nuclear energy facilities, Comanche Peak and South Texas could supply three percent more electricity and avoid annual emissions of 760 tons of SO₂, 400 tons of NO_x and 630,000 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.