Nuclear Powers PA Applauds Introduction of Legislation in Pennsylvania Senate That Properly Values Nuclear Energy

Updating Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Will Protect State’s Valued Nuclear Fleet

HARRISBURG, PA – Leaders of Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania today applauded a bipartisan group of State Senators for introducing legislation that would reform an existing state law to recognize the contributions the state’s nuclear industry makes throughout the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 510, introduced earlier today, would update Pennsylvania’s landmark 2004 legislation, called the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS). AEPS was designed to foster economic development and encourage reliance on more diverse and environmentally friendly sources of energy, yet excludes the one source of energy – nuclear power – that provides 93 percent of the Commonwealth’s zero-carbon electricity.

NPP thanked the following bill sponsors for their leadership on this critical issue: prime sponsors Ryan Aument, Lisa Boscola, Mike Folmer, John Gordner, Elder Vogel, Jr. and John Yudichack; and co-sponsors Jim Brewster, Daylin Leach, Bob Mensch, Sharif Street and Christine Tartaglione,

According to economists at The Brattle Group, failure to address today’s energy imbalance will cost Pennsylvanians an estimated $4.6 billion annually. This includes:  

  • $788 million in increased electricity costs;
  • $2 billion in lost state GDP;
  • $1.6 billion in carbon emissions-related costs; and
  • $260 million in costs associated with harmful emissions.

“Introduction of legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate is another important step forward, so we thank these Senators for their leadership and vision,” said Bill McGee, Co-Chair of Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania and the Business Manager of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 23. “Our thousands of coalition members across Pennsylvania are eager to move this process forward and get this done. It is essential that we protect our state’s valued nuclear fleet. Nuclear power is our state’s largest source of clean energy. It helps keep our energy costs low, all while keeping 16,000 jobs right here in Pennsylvania.”

The AEPS approach was first detailed in a bipartisan report from Pennsylvania’s Nuclear Energy Caucus released in November 2018. That report states, “Allowing any nuclear plant in the Commonwealth to close would have significant consequences for fuel diversity, resiliency, the environment, customers, and the state’s economy.” The impacts would be felt in both urban and rural parts of Pennsylvania. State Representative Tom Mehaffie introduced legislation amending the AEPS in the Pennsylvania House on March 11.

About Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy industry provides millions of families and businesses with safe, reliable and carbon-free electricity. Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania is a statewide coalition that works to educate all Pennsylvanians about the economic and environmental benefits of nuclear energy and the industry’s positive impact on local communities throughout the Keystone State.

Learn more at www.NuclearPowersPennsylvania.com. Follow NPP on Twitter @NuclearPowersPA.