The National Parks Conservation Association is the only independent, nonpartisan membership organization devoted exclusively to advocacy on behalf of the National Parks System.
Opposition to Nuclear Energy
The NPCA has repeatedly opposed relicensing, expansion, and construction of nuclear power plants. In April 2011 IndustryWeek reported that the NPCA joined in a petition asking the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to suspend licensing, construction, or license renewal decisions on “21 proposed nuclear reactor projects in 15 states.” 1 In April 2019 the NPCA opposed the extension of the operating license for two nuclear reactors at the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station south of Miami, Florida. 2 In October 2016 the NPCA opposed a plan to add two new nuclear reactors to the facility at Turkey Point. 3
Nuclear power plants produce no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, and as of 2021 accounted for 20 percent of American electricity production—the largest source of zero-carbon electricity in the United States. 4 An October 2018 proposal from The Nature Conservancy noted that zero-carbon nuclear plants produced 7.8 percent of total world energy output and recommended reducing carbon emissions by increasing nuclear capacity to 33 percent of total world energy output. 5
References
- Katz, Jonathan. “Groups Petition NRC to Suspend Nuclear Projects.” IndustryWeek. April 15, 2011. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.industryweek.com/the-economy/environment/article/21941860/groups-petition-nrc-to-suspend-nuclear-projects
- “Extending Turkey Point Nuclear Operations Jeopardizes Health of Biscayne National Park.” National Parks Conservation Association. April 4, 2019. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.npca.org/articles/2142-extending-turkey-point-nuclear-operations-jeopardizes-health-of-biscayne
- “Nuclear Plant Expansion Could be Devastating to Nearby National Parks.” National Parks Conservation Association. October 28, 2016. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.npca.org/articles/1352-nuclear-plant-expansion-could-be-devastating-to-nearby-national-parks
- “Nuclear explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed August 16, 2021. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/us-nuclear-industry.php>
- “ The Science of Sustainability.” The Nature Conservancy. October 13, 2018. Accessed August 16, 2021. https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/the-science-of-sustainability/