Why the IBEW supports expanding nuclear power generation in the USA

Abstract

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents workers, many who work in the utility and power generation industries. The IBEW has been and continues to be a vocal supporter of the expansion of nuclear power generation in the USA. Five years ago, there was a general expectation that nuclear capacity would expand greatly. It did not, and in part the absence of more new nuclear construction is the natural outcome of a misguided energy market regulation system. We close with a set of priorities for rebuilding the energy regulatory scheme that would benefit our members and ratepayers and would, at the same time, lead to and require an expansion of nuclear power. The article describes the state of nuclear power in the USA today, the IBEW’s role in the utility industry and nuclear power generation; the IBEW’s priorities for the US energy market and why those priorities lead the IBEW to call for the expansion of nuclear power in the USA.