Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2024)

As of August 1, 2023, there were 54 commercially operating nuclear power plants with 93 nuclear power reactors in 28 states. lllinois ranks the highest among all states with the most reactors—11, and the largest total nuclear nameplate electricity generating capacity—11,582 megawatts (MW), equal to 12% of total U.S. operating nuclear electricity generation capacity.

Of the 54 operating nuclear power plants, 19 have one reactor, 31 have two reactors, and four have three reactors. The Palo Verde nuclear power plant in Arizona is currently the largest U.S. nuclear power plant with three reactors that have a combined nameplate electricity generating capacity of 4,210 MW and a total net summer electricity generating capacity of 3,937 MW. The R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in New York State is the smallest nuclear facility with one reactor with a nameplate generation capacity of 614 MW and a net summer generation capacity of about 580 MW. The smallest individual reactors are the two units at the Prairie Island nuclear plant in Minnesota, each with 593 MW nameplate generation capacity and about 520 MW of net summer generation capacity.

The newest nuclear reactor to enter service is the Vogtle Unit 3 at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant plant in Georgia as part of a two-unit expansion project. Unit 3 began commercial operation on July 31, 2023 with 1,114 MW nameplate electricity generating capacity. Unit 4, with about 1,117 MW capacity, is nearing completion and is projected to enter service in 2024. When Unit 4 is operational, Vogtle will be the largest nuclear power plant in the United States with four reactors and a total of 4,660 MW nameplate electricity generation capacity.

Learn more:
Does EIA publish the location of electric power plants, transmission lines, and substations?
Articles on nuclear energy
U.S. Nuclear Generation and Generating Capacity
Data on operable, proposed, and retired generators at U.S. power plants (file: GeneratorYyy)
List of new, retired, and planned generators (See Tables 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6 for most recent available survey data.)
Nuclear Energy Explained

Last updated: August 3, 2023.


Other FAQs about Electricity

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2024)

FAQs

Is the US Energy Information Administration reliable? ›

EIA is the nation's premier source of energy information, and, by law, its data, analyses, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. government.

What does the US Energy Information Administration do? ›

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the statistical agency of the Department of Energy. It provides policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy, and its interaction with the economy and the environment.

How does the EIA collect data? ›

EIA collects information about electric power plants through two annual surveys (Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report, and Form EIA-923, Power Plant Operations Report) that have monthly supplements.

What is the EIA energy intensity? ›

EIA calculates energy intensity in the U.S. buildings sector as either the amount of energy consumed in buildings per square foot of commercial floorspace or the amount of energy consumed per residential household.

Who funds the US Energy Information Administration? ›

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) receives funding through an annual appropriation from Congress. EIA's budget falls under the authority of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development.

Who runs the US Energy Information Administration? ›

Energy Information Administration
Agency overview
HeadquartersWashington, D.C. United States
Annual budget$126.8 million (FY2021)
Agency executivesJoseph DeCarolis, Administrator Stephen Nalley, Deputy Administrator
Parent agencyUnited States Department of Energy
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What is EIA reporting? ›

The EIA report is a statement of the likely impacts of a proposal and how these can be mitigated and managed. It is a decision document, not a compendium of technical information. As such, the EIA report should be both rigorous and easily understood.

What is us energy information administration EIA 860? ›

The survey Form EIA-860 collects generator-level specific information about existing and planned generators and associated environmental equipment at electric power plants with 1 megawatt or greater of combined nameplate capacity.

What does EIA stand for oil? ›

Oil and petroleum products explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

What is the EIA tool used to identify? ›

UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making.

What kind of information is required in an EIA report? ›

The EIA Report is a compilation of several important project components, including the project description, the assessment of its environmental and social impacts, mitigation measures, and related management and monitoring plans.

What are the tools used in EIA data collection? ›

The main EIA techniques used in scoping are baseline studies, checklists, matrices and network diagrams. These techniques collect and present knowledge and information in a straightforward way so that logical decisions can be made about which impacts are most significant.

What is the most efficient energy source? ›

Often ranked as one of the most efficient energy sources, wind energy is harnessed all over the world. Of course, some spots are known as being windier than others, and companies typically make use of these spots by building wind farms filled with turbines there. Wind energy has also been used for hundreds of years.

What is the EIA short term energy outlook? ›

Each month, the STEO provides forecasts through the end of the next calendar year for consumption, supply, trade, and prices across major fuel types. In addition, the STEO provides in-depth market analysis for crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas markets.

What are EIA parameters? ›

A parameter is a fixed part of the proposed scheme that cannot change and to which subsequent reserved matters submissions will adhere to. The parameters need to be a series of worst case, but realistic, details that capture sufficient detail of the proposals to allow the environmental impacts to be identified.

Is the US Department of Energy Real? ›

The Department of Energy (DOE) manages the United States' nuclear infrastructure and administers the country's energy policy. The Department of Energy also funds scientific research in the field.

Is the Energy Information Administration a government agency? ›

The U.S.Energy Information Administration (EIA) was established by the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-91). EIA is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.

Is US energy a real company? ›

U.S. Energy is an ISO 14001 certified company which follows Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance (ESG) criteria in their daily operations.

Is the US energy secure Why or why not? ›

The country's energy security is bolstered by large domestic oil reserves and relatively low per-capita energy use, according to the report. The United States ranks seventh, with a risk score slightly better than the average member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

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