Pennsylvania’s Bipartisan Nuclear Energy Caucus Releases Report Detailing Impacts of Losing the State’s Nuclear Industry and Provides Options for Taking Action in 2019

(HARRISBURG) – Senators Ryan Aument (R-36) and John Yudichak (D-14) along with Representatives Becky Corbin (R-155) and Rob Matzie (D-16), who co-chair the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s bipartisan Nuclear Energy Caucus (NEC), today released the “Bicameral Nuclear Energy Caucus Report” detailing the nuclear energy industry’s contributions to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and environment. The report, which will be transmitted to all members of the General Assembly and to Governor Wolf, includes four options for the future of the state’s challenged industry, including the General Assembly taking action in 2019 to prevent the employment, economic, and environmental devastation associated with the premature closure of nuclear plants in the Commonwealth.

Acknowledging the announced premature closures of Three Mile Island in 2019 and Beaver Valley in 2021, one-fourth of Pennsylvania’s nuclear power, Senator Aument said: “As state lawmakers, we take seriously our obligations to set energy policies that help promote Pennsylvania’s economy and protect our environment. The loss of these plants would be a devastating and permanent blow to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and environment so we took a hard look at what could and should be done to prevent this, and future, devastation.”

Since its formation in March 2017, the Nuclear Energy Caucus – the first of its kind anywhere in the nation – has tried to better understand the underlying causes of nuclear plant premature retirements, and to determine if these announced closures were an anomaly or a symptom of a larger problem for Pennsylvania’s nuclear industry. After hosting educational meetings throughout the 2017-2018 Legislative Session to hear expert testimony on topics ranging from clean energy to national security, the Nuclear Energy Caucus (NEC) found that Pennsylvania’s five nuclear plants provide numerous benefits, including:

  • Providing nearly 40% of the Commonwealth’s total electricity production and just over 93% of Pennsylvania’s zero-emissions energy
  • Supporting 16,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and contributing more than $2 billion annually to the Commonwealth’s economy
  • Moderating electricity prices, benefitting Pennsylvania customers by an estimated $788 million per year in the form of lower bills
  • Improving air quality by preventing substantial emissions of C02, S02, and particulate matter
  • Ensuring grid resilience and reliability by providing energy to the grid 24/7

“Promoting and preserving the numerous, important benefits provided to our citizens by the state’s nuclear industry is precisely the reason the Nuclear Energy Caucus was created,” said Representative Matzie.

The NEC also sought to understand the employment, economic, and environmental impacts associated with the premature closures and determine if there are any actions the General Assembly or the Commonwealth should be undertaking to prevent the premature closure of the state’s nuclear plants. Understanding the continued inaction by Congress, the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC), and regional grid operators such as PJM, states like New York, Illinois, Connecticut, and New Jersey took direct action to prevent the devastating economic, environmental, and consumer impacts associated with losing their state’s nuclear industry.

According to the report, the current federal, regional, and state landscape leaves Pennsylvania with four options to determine the future of Pennsylvania’s nuclear industry:

  1. Do nothing and leave Pennsylvania’s clean energy resources, including its nuclear plants, on a trajectory to early retirement – effectively allowing PJM to dictate the mix of resources serving Pennsylvania.
  2. Modify AEPS (or establish a ZEC program) to put nuclear generation on equal footing with other zero-emission electric generation resources in Pennsylvania.
  3. Modify AEPS (or establish a ZEC program) with a “safety valve” mechanism that (depending on the outcome of the FERC proceeding) would allow Pennsylvania to adopt a new capacity construct proposed by FERC that is designed to accommodate state programs to support preferred generation resources.
  4. Establish a Pennsylvania carbon pricing program.

 “It’s clear to me that only some of the report’s options are viable for preventing irreversible harm to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and environment associated with losing nuclear power plants. Pennsylvania lawmakers will have to act soon if we want to protect our consumers and the nuclear industry because policymakers and regulators in Washington D.C. have failed to address growing, long-standing flaws in energy markets,” said Representative Corbin.

 “Given our state’s prominence in energy production, it is important that lawmakers focus on an inclusive energy policy that promotes and respects the contribution that each resource offers. The NEC looks forward to continuing the dialogue with our colleagues in the General Assembly in the coming weeks and months,” said Senator Yudichak. “But time is not on our side. Pennsylvanians – especially those whose livelihood depends on nuclear energy – are looking to us for action.”

 

 About The Nuclear Energy Caucus

 On March 16, 2017, Senators Ryan Aument (R-36) and John Yudichak (D-14) along with Representatives Becky Corbin (R-155) and Rob Matzie (D-16) announced the formation of the Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus (NEC), a bi-partisan, bi-cameral caucus of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly to focus on nuclear energy issues. The caucus, the first nuclear caucus in a state legislature in the history of the United States, was formed to give members of the General Assembly an opportunity to become more educated about nuclear energy’s economic and environmental value and provide another voice in other important discussions, including electric power reliability, affordability and safety. To date, the caucus has over 79 members and has hosted numerous educational meetings and tours of the Commonwealth’s nuclear facilities, has supported pro-nuclear resolutions in the State Senate and House of Representatives, and has weighed in as a collective body with the regional grid operator, PJM, ad with the U.S. Federal Regulatory Committee.

 The full report can be viewed at here.

Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus to Release Report on Impact of State’s Nuclear Energy Industry on PA Communities and Possible Solutions to Prevent Premature Nuclear Plant Closures

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(HARRISBURG) – Senators Ryan Aument (R-36) and John Yudichak (D-14) along with Representatives Becky Corbin (R-155) and Rob Matzie (D-16), who co-chair the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Nuclear Energy Caucus, will this week release the “Bicameral Nuclear Energy Caucus Report.” It details what the Caucus learned in meetings during the 2017-2018 Legislative Session about the impacts of Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy industry on the state’s communities, economy, and environment. It proposes several options that could be considered by lawmakers to prevent the premature closure of Pennsylvania’s nuclear fleet, including Three Mile Island.

The Nuclear Energy Caucus will release the report during an event at the Londonderry Fire Company on November 29, 2018, which will be streamed live at www.SenatorAument.com and at https://nuclearenergy.pasenategop.com/.  Members of the press are invited to attend:

Event: Nuclear Energy Caucus Report Release

Date: Thursday, November 29, 2018

Time: 11:00 AM EST

Location: Londonderry Fire Company, 2655 Foxianna Road, Middletown

Logistics: Mult box will be provided. Interview opportunities will be available after remarks.

Nuclear Energy Caucus Meeting

Nuclear Energy Caucus Meeting

Monday, October 1, 2018 | 7:30 a.m.

Room 8 EA, East Wing


7:30 AM
Breakfast

7:55 AM
Welcome and Co-Chair Introductions
Senator Ryan Aument
Senator John Yudichak
Representative Becky Corbin
Representative Rob Matzie

8:00 AM
Update from PJM Interconnection

Stu Bressler, Senior Vice President, Operations & Markets
PJM Interconnection
Attachment

8:25 AM
Update from Nuclear Station Operators

Paul Harden, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, FirstEnergy Solutions Generation Companies

Brad Berryman, Chief Nuclear Officer
Talen Energy

David L. Fein, Senior Vice President, State Government and Regulatory Affairs
Exelon Corporation

9:00 AM

Conclusion

Nuclear Power and Energy and National Security

Nuclear Energy Caucus Meeting

Tuesday, September 25, 2018 | 8:00 a.m.

Room 8 EB, East Wing


7:30 AM  Breakfast

7:55 AM Welcome and Co-Chair Introductions

Senator Ryan Aument
Senator John Yudichak
Representative Becky Corbin
Representative Rob Matzie

8:00 AM  Impact of Nuclear Station Deactivations on Energy and National Security

Edward McGinnis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Office of Nuclear Energy
United States Department of Energy

8:25 AM  Impact of Nuclear Station Deactivations on Energy and National Security
Paul Stockton, Current Managing Director and Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs
Sonecon, LLC.

Amy Roma, Partner, Hogan Lovells                                             
Co-Author, Back from the Brink:  A Threatened Nuclear Energy

9:00 AM  Conclusion

Meeting to Discuss Impact of Nuclear Station Deactivations on Air Quality

Nuclear Energy Caucus Meeting

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 8 am

Room 8 EB, East Wing


7:30 AM – Breakfast

7:55 AM – Welcome and Co-Chair Introductions

  • Senator Ryan Aument
  • Senator John Yudichak
  • Representative Becky Corbin
  • Representative Rob Matzie

8:00 AM – Impact of Nuclear Station Deactivations on Air Quality

  • Doug Vine, Senior Fellow
    Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
  • Rama Zakaria, Senior Manager, Regulatory Policy & Analysis
    Environmental Defense Fund

8:25 AM – Impact of Nuclear Station Deactivations on Air Quality

  • Davitt Woodwell, President
    Pennsylvania Environmental Council
  • Steve Clemmer, Director of Energy Research & Analysis  Climate and Energy Policy
    Union of Concerned Scientists

9:00 AM – Conclusion

 

Value of Nuclear Power to Pennsylvania Labor

Nuclear Energy Caucus

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | 8:00 a.m.

East Wing, Hearing Room 8E-A


Value of Nuclear Power to Pennsylvania Labor

7:30 AM – Breakfast

7:55 AM – Welcome and Co-Chair Introductions
Senator Ryan Aument
Senator John Yudichak
Representative Becky Corbin
Representative Rob Matzie

8:00 AM – Impact of Nuclear Power Production on Pennsylvania’s Labor Force – Statewide Perspective
Martin Williams, Business Manager Boilermakers Local 13

8:20 AM – Impact of Nuclear Power Production on Pennsylvania’s Labor Force – Local Perspectives
Joe Gusler, President
Central Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council

Kris Anderson, International Representative
IBEW Third District

Steve Knoebel, President
IBEW

9:-00 AM – Conclusion

Meeting on nuclear plant operators, and briefing from Brattle Group on economic and environmental consequences of nuclear station closures

Nuclear Energy Caucus

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 | 8:00 a.m.

East Wing, Hearing Room 8E-A


7:30 AM – Breakfast

7:55 AM – Welcome and Co-Chair Introductions
Senator Ryan Aument
Senator John Yudichak
Representative Becky Corbin
Representative Rob Matzie

8:00 AM – Nuclear Industry Panel
Don Moul, President & Chief Nuclear Officer, FirstEnergy Solutions Generation Companies
Debra L. Raggio, Senior Vice President, Regulatory & External Affairs Counsel, Talen Energy
Kathleen Barrón, Senior Vice President, Competitive Market Policy, Exelon

8:40 AM – Impact of Nuclear Station Closures on the Economy and Environment
Dr. Dean Murphy, Principal
The Brattle Group

9:00 AM – Conclusion

Nuclear Caucus Chairs Issue Statement on Announcement of Closure of Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station

(HARRISBURG) – Senators Ryan Aument (R-36) and John Yudichak (D-14) along with Representatives Becky Corbin (R-155) and Rob Matzie (D-16), who co-chair the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Nuclear Energy Caucus, issued the following statement regarding the announcement that Exelon Corporation will be closing the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station.

“Today’s announcement confirms what we have suspected for many months – that there are serious and consequential underlying issues in Pennsylvania’s energy sector that must be addressed. 

The premature closure of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station will mean a significant loss of family-sustaining jobs, high capacity baseload clean energy, and the many direct and indirect economic benefits that surround the production of electricity from a nuclear power plant.

As state lawmakers, we take seriously our obligation to set energy policies that help promote Pennsylvania’s economy.  We equally are concerned about meeting the Commonwealth’s environmental goals.  The closure of Three Mile Island will make meeting these challenges even more difficult.

One of our top priorities in creating the Nuclear Energy Caucus was to focus on the value that each energy resource offers Pennsylvania and our citizens.  We remain committed to that goal and will continue to invite all members of the General Assembly to participate in this important discussion so that together, we can advance policies that promote long-term economic, environmental and consumer benefits.

Today, however, we are mindful of how difficult this news is for the many workers and their families who are effected, as well as the communities in central Pennsylvania that will be directly impacted.”

CONTACT:  Jake Smeltz (717-787-4420)           

Op-Ed: Nuclear Energy: A Keystone for Pennsylvania’s Economy and Environment

Pennsylvania’s energy history is a rich landscape of innovation and technological breakthroughs that have helped advance our Commonwealth and the country.

From its earliest founding days, the Commonwealth has pioneered energy sources that have helped the state grow and prosper.  Nowhere is this more apparent than in Shippingport, Pennsylvania where Duquesne Light Company started the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in 1957 – a first-of-its kind nuclear power generating facility designed solely for peacetime utility use.

From those early beginnings and in the decades that followed, Pennsylvania supported the nuclear industry as it became a foundation for energy grid reliability, economic vitality and carbon-free electricity. 

Today, Pennsylvania’s five nuclear power plants generate a staggering 35 percent of the state’s electricity, employ thousands of people and contribute billions of dollars in the state through taxes, payroll and direct and indirect spending.

Pennsylvanians don’t always give thought to where the power comes from, as long as the lights come on when we flick the switch.  Perhaps more importantly, we don’t always consider what would happen if one form of electricity supply just went away. 

We want to make sure that members of the General Assembly and others understand the value and importance of nuclear power.

That is why we have joined together – Democrats and Republicans – in a bipartisan, bi-cameral fashion to launch the Nuclear Energy Caucus.  We believe that the unique role that nuclear power plays and the benefits it offers to Pennsylvania need to be recognized and more easily understood.

Nuclear energy is a clean, safe, reliable and affordable source of electricity that helps power the economy, and achieve Pennsylvania’s environmental goals.  

For example, nuclear stations support more than 15,600 direct and secondary full-time jobs, have an annual payroll of $360 million, and lead to about $81 million in tax revenue from secondary/induced economic activity from plant and employee activities.

The nuclear energy industry also purchases more than $1.8 billion of materials, services and fuel from more than 4,150 companies in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s nuclear plants contribute approximately $2.36 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Additionally, nuclear power plants prevent substantial emissions from CO2, SO2, and NOx.  Average annual CO2 emissions would be about 52 million tons greater absent the generation from Pennsylvania nuclear plants.

This Caucus will provide members with an opportunity to better learn, recognize and support the zero carbon emission qualities of nuclear energy, which coupled with its ability to provide baseload, or continuous, capacity make it an incredibly beneficial form of electricity.

Our collective goal is to have a continuing, ongoing dialogue about Pennsylvania’s nuclear assets. 

As we look around the country, there is little doubt that nuclear energy sources – like many other resources – are struggling.  Since 2013, five nuclear stations have ceased power production and begun decommissioning, with another seven plants already announced that they plan to close by 2019, in addition to two other plants planning to shutter four more reactors by 2025.

All of the events, coupled with Pennsylvania’s status as a top nuclear power producer, invite us to have a timely – and important – discussion on the valuable role that nuclear power plays in the Commonwealth’s economy and environment.

To that end, we look forward to working on policies that promote all of Pennsylvania’s energy resources, including nuclear energy. 

Submitted by the Co-Chairs of the Nuclear Energy Caucus:

Senator Ryan Aument (R–36)
Senator John Yudichak (D-14)
Representative Becky Corbin (R-155)
Representative Rob Matzie (D-16)