Nuclear energy comes from the core of an atom. Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity. All nuclear power plants used nuclear fission to create energy. In nuclear fission, a neutron collides with and splits a uranium atom, releasing heat and energy. This heat is then used to produce electricity. Nuclear fusion and nuclear decay can be used to obtain nuclear power too.
Nuclear Power Controversy
Safety is the most significant concern when it comes to nuclear power. Supporters of nuclear power believe that nuclear power is a safe and sustainable energy source. The World Nuclear Association states that nuclear power has one of the lowest fatalities per unit of energy generated. Hydroelectricity, coal, natural gas, and petroleum have caused more fatalities per unit of energy due to air pollution and accidents.
A study on the prevented mortality and greenhouse gas emissions stated that nuclear power has prevented about 1.84 million air pollution-related deaths and the emissions of 64 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent since its commercialization in the 1970s. Those who oppose the use of nuclear power, such as Greenpeace, argue that nuclear power poses a threat to both the environment and people’s health.
The worst nuclear disaster in history was the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union. Chernobyl is frequently used as an example of the dangers of nuclear power and why it shouldn’t be used. The event killed two power plant workers and released high radiation levels into the surrounding area, causing tens of thousands of people to evacuate the surrounding areas and causing several suspecting radiation-related medical problems, such as cancer.
Nuclear Power in the United States
In 2018, nuclear power supplied 2,563 terawatt-hours of electricity to the world, about 10% of total global electricity generation. According to the World Nuclear Association, the world has 439 operable nuclear reactors globally with a combined power of 389.5 gigawatts (GW). An additional 56 are under construction.
The United States has the most nuclear power reactors of any country in the world with 96. The U.S. generates over 800 terawatts of zero-emissions electricity per year. The reactors operate at full power 92% of the time and generate about one-fifth of the country’s energy every year.
Below are the 30 states with nuclear power plants, including the number of plants each state has, electricity produces per year, and the number of workers nuclear directly employs.
These 12 states are:
- Illinois - 54%
- Pennsylvania - 36%
- South Carolina - 56%
- New York - 34%
- Alabama - 31%
- North Carolina - 31%
- Tennessee - 44%
- Virginia - 30%
- New Jersey - 37%
- Connecticut - 42%
- Maryland - 38%
- New Hampshire - 61%
New Hampshire produces the highest share of its electricity from nuclear power at 61%, followed by South Carolina with 56% and Illinois with 54%. Below are the 30 states with nuclear power plants including the number of plants each state has, electricity produces per year, and number of workers nuclear employs.
Illinois
- Number of nuclear power plants: 11
- Electricity produced per year: 98.7 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 5,400
Pennsylvania
- Number of nuclear power plants: 9
- Electricity produced per year: 83 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 4,500
South Carolina
- Number of nuclear power plants: 7
- Electricity produced per year: 56 million megawatt-hours
- Number of Employees: 2,800
New York
- Number of nuclear power plants: 4
- Electricity produced per year: 44.8 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 3,350
Alabama
- Number of nuclear power plants: 5
- Electricity produced per year: 43.6 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 2,750
North Carolina
- Number of nuclear power plants: 5
- Electricity produced per year: 41.9 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 2,600
Tennessee
- Number of nuclear power plants: 4
- Electricity produced per year: 35.7 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 2,400
Virginia
- Number of nuclear power plants: 4
- Electricity produced per year: 29 million
- Number of employees: 2,000
New Jersey
- Number of nuclear power plants: 3
- Electricity produced per year: 26.6 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,600
Connecticut
- Number of nuclear power plants: 2
- Electricity produced per year: 16.7 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,400
Maryland
- Number of nuclear power plants: 2
- Electricity produced per year: 15 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 900
New Hampshire
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 10.9 million
- Number of employees: 750
Massachusetts
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 2.2 megawatt-hours
Ohio
- Number of nuclear power plants: 2
- Electricity produced per year: 17 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,500
Michigan
- Number of nuclear power plants: 4
- Electricity produced per year: 32.9 million
- Number of employees: 3,100
Wisconsin
- Number of nuclear power plants: 2
- Electricity produced per year: 10 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 700
Minnesota
- Number of nuclear power plants: 3
- Electricity produced per year: 14.1 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,550
Iowa
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 5.2 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 500
Nebraska
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 6.9 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 800
Kansas
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 9.2 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,000
Missouri
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 9.2 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 830
Arkansas
- Number of nuclear power plants: 2
- Electricity produced per year: 13.6 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,000
Louisiana
- Number of nuclear power plants: 2
- Electricity produced per year: 14 million
- Number of employees: 1,400
Mississippi
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 11 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 675
Georgia
- Number of nuclear power plants: 4
- Electricity produced per year: 33.6 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 2,200
Florida
- Number of nuclear power plants: 4
- Electricity produced per year: 29.1 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,800
Texas
- Number of nuclear power plants: 4
- Electricity produced per year: 41 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 2,200
Arizona
- Number of nuclear power plants: 3
- Electricity produced per year: 31.9 million
- Number of employees: 2,500
California
- Number of nuclear power plants: 2
- Electricity produced per year: 16.2 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,500
Washington
- Number of nuclear power plants: 1
- Electricity produced per year: 8.8 million megawatt-hours
- Number of employees: 1,000