Virginia's nuclear energy future Image By EPN Staff Nuclear energy will generate more of Virginians’ energy and help lower carbon emissions in the commonwealth if a series of new facilities under consideration move forward. Recently announced nuclear plans include: Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ plans for the world’s first grid-scale commercial fusion power plant outside of Richmond. Dominion Energy’s evaluation of a new small modular reactor at its North Anna nuclear complex and its partnership with Amazon to meet data center power demands. Appalachian Power’s announcement that it is exploring whether to site a small modular reactor in the Joshua Falls area near Lynchburg. The Navy’s request for information about privately-owned and operated nuclear generation at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach; Naval Weapons Station Yorktown; Marine Corp Base Quantico and in King George County along the Potomac River. Why it matters The Virginia Clean Economy Act, passed in 2020 and signed by then-Gov. Ralph Northam, imposed new requirements for Virginia’s utilities to phase out coal-fired generation and rely more on renewable energy sources. It also called for the State Corporation Commission to consider the social cost of carbon when evaluating applications for new energy generation facilities. There are no carbon emissions associated with nuclear energy generation. The bigger picture Nuclear power already accounts for about 31 percent of Virginia’s in-state electricity generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It is the commonwealth’s second largest power source, following only natural gas, which accounts for 54 percent of Virginia’s in-state electricity generation. Solar, biomass and other renewables accounted for 11 percent, followed by coal at 4 percent. Virginia is also home to the world’s largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk, which includes numerous nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. The U.S. Navy operates 99 nuclear reactors and 79 nuclear-powered warships. More context Advocates for nuclear have argued it is the nation’s largest source of clean electricity and accelerating greater adoption will help lower emissions while reliably meeting growing demand, regardless of weather conditions. Opponents have argued for eliminating nuclear energy altogether by raising concerns about safety, nuclear proliferation and storage of nuclear waste.
