Washington, DC – Today, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, urged President Biden to preserve the United States’ civil nuclear fleet and prevent further plant closures. Chairman Manchin also highlighted that nuclear energy is critical to providing a reliable power grid, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing climate change.

“As a zero-emissions baseload fuel source, I believe that maintaining our [nuclear] fleet and preventing closures of existing nuclear plants is critical to achieving emission reduction goals and ensuring a reliable grid,” wrote Chairman Manchin in part. “I urge you to take action to preserve our existing nuclear fleet and prevent further closures. I believe the federal government must use all the tools it has to protect this vital resource, to the maximum extent consistent with the health and safety of the public.”

Last month, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on the importance of maintaining the United States’ position as a global leader in nuclear energy. Chairman Manchin’s Energy Act of 2020, enacted last year, provided significant investments in advanced nuclear technologies. The nuclear title emphasized RD&D programs that will continue to modernize the existing nuclear fleet, train the next generation of professionals, and develop advanced nuclear technologies to reduce emissions in the industrial and transportation sectors.

Read the full letter below or click here:

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing to urge you to support the continued operation of the United States' domestic nuclear fleet. As a zero-emissions baseload fuel source, I believe that maintaining our fleet and preventing closures of existing nuclear plants is critical to achieving emission reduction goals and ensuring a reliable grid.

Over the past two decades, the United States' total number of nuclear plants has fallen from 104 to 94. Expected closures are increasing, with approximately 5.1 gigawatts of nuclear capacity anticipated to go offline in 2021. A recent study warns that without any change in policy half of the current nuclear fleet will retire by 2030. In 2019, nuclear prevented 476 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted and represented 55 percent of total emission-free electricity in the United States. Any further closures would be detrimental to meeting any climate goals.

I appreciate your leadership in supporting nuclear power plants' continued operation and the role nuclear plays in combatting climate change. I urge you to take action to preserve our existing nuclear fleet and prevent further closures. I believe the federal government must use all the tools it has to protect this vital resource, to the maximum extent consistent with the health and safety of the public.

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