Nuclear Science Week: The Language of Energy

As we celebrate international Nuclear Energy Week 2023, we’re noticing a shift in public opinion and legislators’ openness to nuclear energy. There is a growing interest in atomic energy as a consistent generator of carbon-free electricity that does not depend on when and if the wind blows or the sun shines.

Among the three categories of energy – fossil, renewable and nuclear – nuclear is a standout.

Just last week, the North Carolina General Assembly created a new state statute to refer to “clean” energy rather than “renewable” energy when referencing emissions-free electricity generation. That’s big! Even the reigning Miss America, a nuclear engineering student, is extolling the virtues of nuclear energy in her social impact initiative: Clean Energy, Cleaner Future.

Economic and population growth in our communities is driving demand and is supported by the clean, safe, reliable and abundant power generated by Duke Energy’s nuclear fleet. Nuclear power forms a crucial component of our goal of achieving a carbon-free power generation portfolio in the coming decades, and it currently accounts for 97% of our carbon-free energy generation.

U.S. nuclear by the numbers

• 93 – total nuclear reactors at 54 sites
• 28 – states with a nuclear power plant
• 18.2 – percentage of power in the U.S. generated by nuclear plants

The inaugural Nuclear Science Week took place in 2010 and was conceived by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Nuclear Science & History and its nuclear industry partners. It continues today with the mission to promote community engagement and education regarding the contributions of the nuclear science industry and those who work in it every day. Check out their fun, educational half-hour videos.

You can also learn more about nuclear and electricity by visiting one of our education centers such as the Energy and Education Center at Brunswick Nuclear Plant, the World of Energy at Oconee Nuclear Station, the EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station or the Energy and Environmental Center at Harris Nuclear Plant. Teachers, students and neighbors – we have materials geared to a variety of nuclear interests. Contact your local plant today!

And join us on Facebook and Twitter! Be sure to share our content with your family and friends.

Brunswick Nuclear Plant: Brunswick.Plant@duke-energy.com or 910.832.2900.

Harris Nuclear Plant: Harris.Plant@duke-energy.com or 984.229.6261.

Catawba Nuclear Station: Catawba.Station@duke-energy.com or 800.777,0006

McGuire Nuclear Station: Duke-Energy.com/EnergyExplorium or 980.875.5600

Oconee Nuclear Station: Duke-Energy.com/WorldOfEnergy or 800.777.1004.

Robinson Nuclear Plant: Robinson.plant@duke-energy.com or 843.951.3303