Chamber Joins Nuclear Power Coalition

The Chamber’s Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to join a statewide coalition whose mission is to educate Pennsylvania about the benefits of nuclear energy and the positive impacts of the industry. Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania members include other chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, labor unions, the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors, and businesses involved in generation, including Talen Energy.

Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation for nuclear power generating capacity with nine nuclear reactors across five sites. In 1957, Beaver County became home to the first commercial nuclear power plant in the United States. Located on the Ohio River, about 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station was the world’s first atomic electric power plant devoted exclusively to peacetime uses. Unit 1 of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station outside of Berwick went online in 1983 . One of the largest nuclear power plants in the county, each of Susquehanna’s reactors generates enough electricity to power about one million homes. 

Nuclear is one of the greatest sources of Pennsylvania’s electricity, contributing thirty-eight percent of the mix, while also accounting for over ninety percent of Commonwealth’s clean power. Ninety-three percent of the nuclear energy in Pennsylvania is carbon-free.

There are more than 500 companies in Pennsylvania working in the nuclear industry, creating 16,000 jobs that depend on nuclear energy. More information about the economic contributions of the industry are available on this information sheet and at the Nuclear Powers PA website.