Recognizing nuclear's non-carbon-emitting value

摘要

In the United States, nuclear power accounts for nearly 20 percent of total electricity generation and about 60 percent of carbon-free generation. But instead of being valued as an essential component of the energy supply system, the nuclear power industry continues to shrink. The nuclear industry has failed to gain recognition as a large-scale and reliable clean energy technology. As a result of the bankruptcy filing by FirstEnergy Solutions-the competitive generation subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corporation-and subsequent political maneuvering, the future of the company's nuclear fleet has been caught up in a high-profile financial bailout fight. Unfortunately, the value of the nuclear fleet as non-carbon-emitting generation may not be recognized.