CASEnergy Coalition

Nuclear Energy in Virginia

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 Virginia’s dual-unit North Anna and Surry systems generate more than 36 percent of the state’s electricity.

Demand for energy is expected to grow in Virginia and across the United States. In fact, the state has experienced an average growth in gross state product of 2.6 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 Virginia, Dominion has filed a license application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build one reactor in Louisa County. Upon completion, the facility will provide enough electricity to serve 1.2 million homes annually.

Providing Clean Electricity to Virginia

Emission-free sources like nuclear energy can help meet the growing electricity needs of both Virginia 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 Virginia, counties near Washington, D.C., have been designated as “non-attainment” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that pollution levels persistently exceed national ambient air quality standards.

The North Anna and Surry nuclear energy facilities supply 100 percent of Virginia’s emission-free power. In 2010 alone, the North Anna and Surry facilities improved air quality by avoiding the emission of:

• 48,000 tons of SO₂
• 17,000 tons of NO_x (equal to the amount of NO_x released by 882,000 passenger cars annually)
• 22 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 Virginia and across the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, with additional capital investment to increase power output capacity at Virginia’s facilities, North Anna and Surry could supply three percent more electricity and avoid annual emissions of 1,821 tons of SO₂, 522 tons of NO_x and 600,000 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 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.