Does nuclear power emit pollution to air or water?
No. Electricity from nuclear energy is free from air emissions, producing no greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen oxides or sulfur dioxides. It is the only clean-air source of energy that can generate large quantities of baseload generation. Nuclear power plants generate small volumes of waste, with the solid radioactive wastes being completely isolated from the environment. In addition, nuclear power plants meet strict standards for radiation emissions in air and water. The Environmental Protection Agency and Nuclear Regulatory Commission set and enforce these standards. Radiation in the environment around nuclear power plants is continuously monitored and well below federal standards. Water discharged from nuclear plants contains no harmful pollutants and must meet federal Clean Water Act requirements and state water-quality standards. Before operating, a nuclear plant’s licensing process requires an environmental impact statement that carefully examines and resolves all potential impa
