November 4, 2021

Dear Governor Hogan, Speaker Jones, and President Ferguson,

As world leaders, government officials, non-governmental organizations, and scientists convene in Glasgow, Scotland to discuss climate change at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), we wanted to bring to your attention new data that highlights the important role nuclear energy plays in reducing carbon emissions while keeping electricity costs affordable.

In October, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided an update to the New York State Climate Action Council on its work to examine the implications of current and potential policy actions on carbon emissions reductions as well as the economy-wide costs for various climate mitigation scenarios.

The report found that policies to reduce carbon emissions that value nuclear energy’s role in New York would “result in substantial health benefits from improved air quality, on the order of $50 - $120 billion from 2020-2050.” Further, the report found that if the State discontinues its programs that recognize nuclear energy’s carbon-free attribute, leading to decisions not to move forward with plant relicensings, the cost to consumers could increase dramatically. In fact, the report found that retiring New York’s nuclear power plants rather than relicensing them would increase costs by about $10 billion.

As the members of the Nuclear Powers Maryland coalition, we believe the future depends on our state and our country embracing power sources like nuclear energy that keeps utility costs down while releasing no harmful pollution into the air we breathe. Like New York, Maryland has enacted serious climate goals, goals that will require the continued operation – coupled with significant expansion – of all zero-carbon emission generation resources.

NYSERDA’s scenario analysis is an important reference point for Maryland as the state continues to examine how best to move forward in its efforts to provide carbon and emissions free energy across the state. NPMD believes Maryland can benefit by conducting a similar analysis that quantifies both the value provided by the state’s most reliable and abundant source of zero-emission electric generation, as well as the cost to Marylander’s if those resources do not operate through their expected lifetime.  As Maryland’s largest source of carbon-free energy, nuclear energy is the state’s most important tool for enabling cities, communities and businesses to transition to clean energy, while maintaining access to affordable, reliable electric power.

We look forward to continuing to work with you in advance of  the 2022 legislative session on policies to support Maryland’s commitment to reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions.

Signed,

American Nuclear Society
Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades Council
Calvert County Chamber of Commerce
Calvert County Government
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
Centrus Energy
EXCEL Services Corporation
Exelon Generation
Nuclear Energy Institute
Nuclear Matters
LiUNA
The Nuclear Alternative Project
Orano USA
Sensible Energy Matters to America (SEMA)
Studsvik Scandpower
WSC
X-energy

CC:

Ben Grumbles, Maryland Secretary of the Environment

Jason Stanek, Chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission

Mary Beth Tung, Maryland Energy Administration

Katherine Magruder, Maryland Clean Energy Center

Maryland Commission on Climate Change Members

• Ben Grumbles, Commission Chair
• Anne Lindner, Commission Co-Chair
• Kim Coble, Commission Co-Chair

Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee Members

• Kumar P. Barve, Chair
• Dana M. Stein, Vice-Chair

Maryland Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee Members

• Paul G. Pinsky, Chair
• Cheryl C. Kagan, Vice-Chair

Senate Finance Committee Members

• Delores G. Kelley, Chair
• Brian J. Feldman, Vice-Chair

House Economic Matters Committee Members

• Dereck E. Davis, Chair
• Kathleen M. Dumais, Vice-Chair

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About Nuclear Powers Maryland: Nuclear Powers Maryland is a statewide coalition of clean energy advocates dedicated to supporting the State of Maryland’s transition to clean energy. Comprised of a diverse group of like-minded organizations – energy and electric companies, non-profits, local governments and trade associations – the coalition is dedicated to educating the public about the value of carbon-free nuclear power and supporting Maryland’s continued clean energy progress and economic growth. For more information, visit www.nuclearpowersmd.com or follow @nuclearpowersmd on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.