US Needs 200 New Nuclear Reactors

The US currently has 54 nuclear power plants operating. These plants house 93 operating commercial nuclear reactors across 28 states, providing about 20% of America’s electric power. Renewable energy provides 22% of the power, and coal and natural gas provide most of the balance. The number of nuclear reactors would need to double if current configurations were used to replace coal entirely. Smaller, more modern reactors could also be used.

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New, smaller modular reactors (SMRs) produce about a third of what current reactors do, and they are easier to cool. Some SMRs use passive safety systems, which rely on natural processes (such as gravity or convection) rather than active mechanical systems. According to one source, these passive systems can enhance safety during emergencies. If these were used, replacing coal would require closer to 200 new reactors.

Population’s Anxiety

Some of the US population still needs to get over the Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown in 1979. The clean-up took until 1993.

Coal will remain a large part of electricity generation until more renewables come online. That will happen, but it could take decades because of both financing and infrastructure.

Educating the public about new reactor safety will be necessary to get them more comfortable with nuclear power. However, it would also be a major step forward in cutting US energy-created emissions.