Nuclear & Uranium
Energy In Brief Articles
What is the status of the U.S. nuclear industry?
There are currently 104 commercial nuclear reactors at 65 nuclear power plants in 31 States. Since 1990, the share of the Nation's total electricity supply provided by nuclear power generation has averaged about 20%, with the level of nuclear generation growing at roughly the same rate as overall electricity use.
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Nuclear Power Explained
Use of nuclear power
Nuclear power provides about 20% of the U.S. electricity and about 8% of the total U.S. energy consumed from all sources. In 2010, U.S. nuclear plants generated 807 billion kilowatthours from 104 commercial nuclear generating units.
Nuclear power and the environment
The main environmental concerns for nuclear power are radioactive wastes such as uranium mill tailings, spent (used) reactor fuel, and other radioactive wastes. These materials can remain radioactive and dangerous to human health for thousands of years.
Features
Domestic Uranium Production Report— Quarterly (3nd qtr 2011)
Released October 25, 2011
U.S. production of uranium in the third quarter 2011 was 846,624 pounds U3O8, down 29% from the previous quarter and down 26 percent from the third quarter 2010.
Uranium Marketing Annual Report 2010
Released May 31, 2011
Owners and operators of U.S. civilian nuclear power reactors ("civilian owner/operators" or "COOs") purchased a total of 47 million pounds U3O8e (equivalent)1 of deliveries from U.S. suppliers and foreign suppliers during 2010, at a weighted-average price of $49.29 per pound U3O8e.
U.S. Nuclear Power Plants: Continued Life or Replacement After 60?
Annual Energy Outlook 2010 archived | Released May 11, 2010
Nuclear power plants generate approximately 20% of U.S. electricity, and the plants in operation today are often seen as attractive assets in the current environment of uncertainty about future fossil fuel prices, high construction costs for new power plants (particularly nuclear plants), and the potential enactment of GHG regulations. Existing nuclear power plants have low fuel costs and relatively high power output. However, there is uncertainty about how long they will be allowed to continue operating.
What's New in Nuclear & Uranium
Domestic Uranium Production Report - Quarterly
February 2, 2012
Nuclear outages back within typical range since July following springtime surge
October 17, 2011
Nuclear power has a significant role in the European power generation mix
July 15, 2011
Survey Forms, Changes & Announcements
How much electricity does a typical nuclear power plant generate?
State Nuclear Profiles
