Nuclear Energy In The United States

This story map is designed to cover an array of fuel share information in the United States. Specifically, the abundance and availability of Nuclear Energy. The majority of collected data has been sourced by the National Energy Institute who compiles annually updated fuel share statistics. In the United States, there are 28 participating states in Nuclear Energy. In those 98 States there are 53 power plants and 94 individual reactors.

Through my research I have made numerous discoveries that will be showcased through a collection of maps created in ArcGIS Online.

This single symbol firefly map displays all 94 active nuclear reactors in the United States. It is also layered with the US Census States layer. Dark states have a higher population than light colored states. There is a clear connection between the eastern seaboard which has a high population (and population density) and the destitution of nuclear reactors. blue symbols are pressurized boiling reactors (63) while red represents boiling water reactors (31). According to the World Nuclear Association, a PWR generates steam generates steam indirectly. Heat is them transferred from the primary reactor coolant into a second system where the steam is produced for the turbine. In a BWR, steam is produced by the reactor directly boiling the water coolant.

This map again displays single nuclear reactors in black with a light green 25 mile buffer radius around them. Within these buffer zones is a collection of cities in blue that are depectied in graduated size symbology. The larger the blue point, the larger the population of the city being represented.

The border between North and South Carolina has the highest ratio if reactors to population within 25 miles. Charlotte As of 2022, Charlotte has a population of 874,579 people.

Lastly, We will take a look at a set of Chlorpoleth maps to determine fuel shares of states participating in Nuclear Energy.

Here we can see again a correlation between, number of nuclear reactors and their ability to power their respective states. The national leaders in homes powered by nuclear energy are Illinois with 11.2 million homes and 11 individual units. Illinois has a 100% clean energy goal by 2050 which will eliminate carbon emissions. Pennsylvania powers 7.5 million homes through its 8 individual reactors. New York powers 4.3 million homes with 5 reactor units. New York has a goal to produce 100% carbon free electricity by 2040.

Here is similar data that displays the percent of each participating states nuclear fuel share. This data projects similar results to the number of homes powered by nuclear energy but, states like New Hampshire, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska stand out. Although Texas produces nuclear power for over 3 million homes, their prefer methods like natural gas (48.6% of fuel share) and wind (20.7% of fuel share) to power their state.

Although we do not have data from every state, there seems to be a trend with states participating in the consumption of natural gas. They appear to follow the eastern seaboard. States like Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania and California are all nearing 55% or more of their fuel shares in natural gas. Texas holds 23% of the natural gas reserves through LNG owned operating plants. LNG exports natural gas to countries like South Korea, China, and Japan.

States within proximity to the Appalachian mountains seem to consume the most coal for their fuel share percentages. This region is one of the richest in the world regarding coal deposits. Despite a recent moral shift away from coal, many states still use it as a large portion of their fuel shares. Although not displayed, Wyoming (41.4%) and West Virginia (13.6%) are national leaders in coal production. Followed closely by Pennsylvania.

Hydroelectric power is one of the least used sources of energy that we have looked at. Nationally, Washington (64.6%) and New York (22%) are leaders in hydroelectric power production. It is no coincidence that both of these states contain rivers that top the charts in flow discharge capacity. Washington's Columbia River ranks 4th in America with a discharge rate of 273,000 cubic feet per second. The St. Lawrence River in New York Ranks 3rd with a discharge rate of 348,000 cubic feet per second.

I hope you enjoy my story map of United States fuel shares. Any additional information from the National Energy Institute and the US Energy Information Administration will be hyperlinked below.

Additionally, I will link my interactive fuel share dashboard created through ArcGIS Online.