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Insights > Entergy's nuclear fleet essential to meeting climate commitments
Entergy's nuclear fleet essential to meeting climate commitments
10/17/2022
We are proud to celebrate Nuclear Science Week. NSW is an international, broadly observed week-long celebration to focus local, regional and international interests on all aspects of nuclear science. Nuclear Science Week is celebrated during the third week of October each year.
Entergy Nuclear owns and operates a national fleet of five nuclear reactors in four locations, generating enough clean, carbon-free electricity to power approximately 2.6 million homes. With 4,000 nuclear professionals located in multiple states, Entergy is more than just a fleet of nuclear power plants. We are a company dedicated to improving the lives of our customers, our communities and the environment in which we live and work.
By harnessing 100% clean nuclear energy, we can help our region transition to a low-carbon future while meeting the growing demands of our nation's energy needs.
Entergy is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Our clean, carbon-free nuclear fleet is playing a critical role in meeting our climate commitment.
Nuclear energy is clean.
It protects our air quality by generating electricity without harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter or mercury.
Our fleet of nuclear plants prevents the emission of nearly 23 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. That’s the same as taking approximately 5 million passenger vehicles off the road.
Nuclear energy is reliable.
Nuclear power plants are an efficient source of electricity, operating around the clock at a 92% capacity factor.
Not to mention, nuclear power plants are built to withstand the toughest of circumstances. The Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station returned to service, supplying clean power to devastated Louisiana communities, one week after a direct hit from Hurricane Ida.
Nuclear fuel is small but mighty.
One uranium fuel pellet is about the same size as a pencil eraser. That one pellet generates as much energy as one ton of coal, 149 gallons of oil or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas.
A typical nuclear power reactor in our fleet generates enough electricity to power 530,000 homes without emitting any greenhouse gases. That's more than enough to power Jackson, Mississippi, Little Rock, Arkansas, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, combined.
Nuclear energy is critical to decarbonize the energy sector.
Entergy is taking aggressive action to combat climate change and its impacts to our region. We are committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and our nuclear portfolio is a major part of that equation. Learn more about our climate commitment here.
Learn more about our nuclear energy fleet here.
