Brattle Group report indicates high value of Pennsylvania's nuclear plants

In a report from the Brattle Group it is stated that nuclear energy plants across Pennsylvania have significant economic value, Nuclear Matters announced on Monday.

Currently, there are five nuclear power plants operating in the state.: the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant, the Beaver Valley Nuclear Generating Station, Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station, Susquehanna Steam Electric Station and the Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station. Together, these nuclear plants support approximately 15,600 full-time positions and account for approximately $81 million in state tax revenues.

The plants are estimated to generate $2.36 billion of the state's GDP, with an additional $2.24 billion in carbon costs saved, based on the federal government's estimate of carbon emissions' cost to society.

“This report stresses the need to address the underlying challenges associated with premature nuclear energy plant shutdowns to ensure that Americans can continue to reap the indisputable benefits that these plants bring to the table,” Former Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), Nuclear Matters co-chair, said. “The public and policymakers are seldom offered such starkly obvious public policy choices as working to ensure existing nuclear energy plants continue to operate.”

Nuclear energy accounts for an estimated 20 percent of all electricity generated nationally. Despite this, some plants are at risk to be shut down prematurely due to challenges economically and politically.

The report states that collectively, Pennsylvania residents would likely pay approximately $600 million more on an annual basis if the plants were shut down.