Nuclear Power Reactors Across the U . S .
Source : nei . org
West Virginia is the only state east of the Mississippi that does not have a nuclear power facility .
Illinois leads the nation in the generation of electricity from nuclear energy , with 11 reactors at six plants , according to the U . S . Energy Information Administration . More than half of the states in the union make electricity with nuclear power .
However , nuclear power does come with a specific set of issues . The spent nuclear fuel to power the reactors is hazardous and must be managed properly , and although problems at nuclear facilities are infrequent , they could be catastrophic , says Smith .
The DOE is working diligently to drive the research , development and deployment of innovative nuclear technologies , systems and practices that will help improve the technology , according to Huff . Meanwhile , Mountain State leaders are looking to nuclear energy to reenergize the state ’ s energy sector , repurpose old infrastructure and infuse much needed capital into coal weary communities .
“ We have a skilled workforce that can build things with their hands ,” Smith says . “ We have incredible talent to develop the science behind it , and we have a workforce that is energy literate . We understand what it takes to transform something into energy that in turn creates power for the economy . When you put who we are and how we celebrate work , both with our hands and minds , and also the fact that we speak the language and understand the science behind it , we are a perfectly trained workforce for this kind of energy .” •
Florida Power & Light St . Lucie Nuclear Power Plant in Jensen Beach , FL .
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