Nuclear energy vital to Illinois' energy leadership

By Christine Todd Whitman

Guest columnist

Illinois, like all states, is taking a hard look at its energy sources in order to transition to a more sustainable energy system that will include a mix of clean energy sources. Illinois energy officials now are working hard to line up the right tools that will help the state economy grow, and at the same time, allow Illinois to meet federal and state clean-air targets. However, it's important to realize that all carbon-free electricity options are not being evaluated equally. And this will have dangerous consequences for Illinois.

As a former EPA administrator, I am acutely aware of the need to have an all-of-the-above energy portfolio, one that includes the continued use of clean and highly reliable nuclear energy. The Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, a grass-roots organization that supports education about nuclear energy, recently conducted a study on the impact of nuclear energy on U.S. emissions reduction efforts.

The analysis shows that Illinois, despite facing a significant carbon-reduction goal - the federal plan requires Illinois to cut its emissions rate 42 percent - also leads the country in carbon-free electricity production and is a major contributor to our nation's overall clean energy portfolio. Illinois' energy leadership is due to nuclear energy, which provides 92 percent of the state's carbon-free electricity. Every day, new technology is emerging that demands electricity for our transportation, communication, and commercial needs. Just think of the dramatic changes in the past 10 years with the rise of smartphones and tablets. The federal government estimates that electricity demand will increase in the U.S. by 22 percent by 2040.

Our investment in clean and reliable electricity production needs to reflect that reality. Nuclear energy is unmatched in its reliability and contributions to reducing carbon emissions. However, Illinois' nuclear facilities remain at risk of closing prematurely. This would not only be a great setback to the environment and the reliability of our electric grid, but also to Illinois' economy, as nuclear provides more than 8,000 jobs and affordable energy to consumers. Without it, electricity rates would rise and Illinois would lose thousands highly-trained workers.

These facilities would not be easily replaced either. To replace just one lost nuclear facility, it would require building a solar farm larger than Springfield or installing windmills five miles deep along Illinois' entire shoreline of Lake Michigan. If all of Illinois' nuclear energy facilities were to close, it would result in a 130-million megawatt-hour shortage of carbon-free electricity. This amount of electricity powers more than 12 million homes - over twice the number of homes in Illinois.

The only plausible way to preserve Illinois' energy leadership and retain the safe, round-the-clock energy Illinois residents have come to expect is to begin properly valuing all carbon-free energy sources equally. To meet the climate goals of tomorrow, we need to value the all the clean energy sources of today and ensure that we are using all of the tools available to do so.

Christine Todd Whitman, former Environmental Protection Agency administrator, is co-chair of the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition. She also previously served as governor of New Jersey.