Affordable

A Cost-Effective Energy Source

Nuclear energy facilities are among the lowest-cost producers of baseload power — meaning its power serves customers day and night — and provides nearly 20 percent of California's electricity. Nuclear plants are second only to hydroelectric power plants as the lowest-cost producer of baseload electricity.

North America and other stable parts of the world have abundant supplies of secure, domestic uranium. As a result, nuclear generation makes America's electricity less dependent on unpredictable markets. The cost of electricity that is generated by nuclear power is independent of fluctuations in fossil fuel costs.

Although currently cheap prices are prompting a sharp rise in the use of natural gas for electricity production, it is important to maintain an energy portfolio that will dampen any swings in fuel prices and availability by reducing reliance on any single energy source.

It makes sense to have fuel and technology diversity for electric generation while striving for the optimal mix of environmental protection, energy reliability and consumer cost.