HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania state Sens. John Kane (D-9) and Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) and state Reps. Robert Matzie (D-16) and Tom Mehaffie (R-106) today announced the relaunch of the Nuclear Energy Caucus.
“Nuclear energy has powered Pennsylvania’s homes and businesses for decades with reliable, carbon-free electricity,” the members of caucus said. “We are relaunching the bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus to ensure we keep this tried-and-true clean energy contributing to our baseload power for generations to come.”
Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the nuclear power industry, with the first commercial nuclear power plant beginning operations in 1957 in Shippingport. Pennsylvania’s eight nuclear reactors at four facilities today produce one-third of all electricity generated in the commonwealth.
America’s nuclear power plants faced significant economic and financial challenges in the 2010s, which led to the premature closure of many nuclear plants across the country, including Three Mile Island near Harrisburg in 2019. A Joint State Government Commission report on nuclear energy found the closure resulted in an 8% reduction in Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy output and hundreds of lost jobs.
The commission’s report also studied small modular reactors (SMRs), which are innovative fission-based units that are constructed in factories and shipped to sites to be joined together, producing emission-free power 24 hours a day. The technology is expected to be commercially viable as early as 2030.
“Now is the time for Pennsylvania to build safeguards—not barriers—to move quickly to construct SMRs,” the members said. “By preparing now, we can ensure that Pennsylvania’s energy past is also our energy future.”
Culver Media Contact: Betsy Reichenbach
717-787-8928
Kane Media Contact: Drew Henderson
484-861-4686
Matzie Media Contact: Liane Leshne
978-549-1868
Mehaffie Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563