Nuclear Energy in Pennsylvania

Energy Overview

Pennsylvania ranks high among U.S. states for electricity generation and consumption. It is also a major nuclear power generator: each of Pennsylvania's five nuclear energy plants in Shippingport, Limerick Township, Peach Bottom Township, Berwick and Londonderry Township operate at an average 94.5 percent capacity factor — the amount of electricity actually produced compared with how much would be produced if the plant operated at full capacity 100 percent of the time. In 2006 Pennsylvania's nuclear energy plants were responsible for generating 75,297,632 Megawatt Hours (MWh) of electricity — more than a third of Pennsylvania's total electricity generation for the year. By 2030, the Middle Atlantic Grid (NJ, NY, PA) will require 12.70 quadrillion Btu's of electricity per year, a 13% increase from 2006.

Clean Air Benefits

Scranton, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and areas surrounding Pittsburgh have been designated as areas of "non-attainment" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which means pollution levels persistently exceed national ambient air quality standards. Ozone and other air pollutants like soot and smog can have major effects of concern for human health, including respiratory impairment in young children and the elderly.

Nuclear energy produces no harmful greenhouse gases or gases that could produce ground-level ozone formation, smog or acid rain.

PA Electricity Generation

• Three Mile Island Generating Station is a reliable source of affordable, clean electricity for Pennsylvanians today, and in the future.
• April 2008: Bates White report, Economic and System Reliability Benefits of the Three Mile Island Generating Station, underscores TMI's critical importance to maintaining affordable, clean, reliable energy for Pennsylvania.
• A September 2008 statewide poll conducted by Terry Madonna Opinion Research found that 82 percent of Pennsylvanians believe nuclear power is important to meeting our country's electricity needs and nearly 73 percent believe that nuclear power will lead to greater energy independence.
• A July public opinion poll of residents within Dauphin, Cumberland and Lancaster Counties conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research found that 87 percent of respondents say they support allowing Three Mile Island to extend its operating license so the energy plant can continue to help meet the region's electricity needs.
• In June 2010, a statewide poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research found that the percentage of Pennsylvanians believe nuclear power is important to meeting our countryÕs electricity needs has increased to 90 percent, and 83 percent agree that nuclear energy is a reliable source of energy.