Nuclear power currently accounts for 19% of U.S. power production, but several factors are at play that may threaten some nuclear generators and could diminish the nuclear industry’s contribution to our electricity supply and the U.S. economy. These factors include limited recognition of carbon as a social cost, as well as market factors such as low natural gas prices, flat electricity demand growth, and transmission constraints. At the request of Nuclear Matters, The Brattle Group has estimated the value of the entire nuclear industry to the U.S. economy, and its contribution to limiting greenhouse gas emissions, to inform the discussion of whether and how these factors should be addressed.
