Transitioning Away from Uneconomical Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear plants across the country are facing closure because they are not economically viable in competitive (and often fundamentally flawed) wholesale electricity markets. Many states are concerned about climate and other environmental impacts if nuclear power is replaced with fossil fuels, and also about the loss of jobs and the local tax base that nuclear plants provide. Some states have already developed plans for an orderly transition away from nuclear power, and others are weighing options, including direct financial support to nuclear facilities to delay closure. This issue brief outlines key environmental, economic, and fairness considerations for states seeking to manage their transition away from nuclear plants.