Nuclear Energy

PDF versionPDF version

Nuclear energy is produced from fission, which splits the large atoms of heavy elements like uranium into smaller atoms, releasing enormous amounts of energy. Thirty U.S. states have nuclear power plants, and nuclear energy makes up around 20% of the U.S. electricity supply.

Basics

Nuclear reactors and cooling towers at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station south of Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. Image Credit: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Nuclear energy is released from the fission of heavy elements like uranium, a weakly radioactive metal found around the world. Fission splits large atoms into smaller atoms, releasing enormous amounts of energy. During electricity generation, the process of fission emits only water vapor but leaves behind spent fuel, which remains highly radioactive. Milling uranium, processing uranium into nuclear fuel, and operating nuclear power plants all create various types of nuclear waste, both low-level and high-level.   Read more

Frequently Asked Questions