America's Nuclear Fleet Is the World's Biggest, But It's Still Shrinking

The United States operates 93 nuclear reactors, the largest nuclear fleet in the world, generating about 95,500 megawatts of power. Nuclear energy has covered roughly 20% of the nation’s electricity since the late 1980s, providing the kind of steady, always-on power that keeps the grid stable. But the industry’s economics have been shaky for years, and the numbers tell the story.

Twelve reactors closed permanently between 2012 and 2021, wiping out about 10% of current capacity. Twenty reactors across six states only survived because state subsidies kept them running, and those plants represent 21% of U.S. nuclear capacity. In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act added $6 billion in federal support for plants at risk of closure. Whether a plant thrives often depends on its market: regulated markets offer more stability, while wholesale power markets force nuclear to compete on price.

For communities, these aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. Nuclear plants employ hundreds of people, fund local schools, and support small businesses. When one closes, the whole town feels it. That reality is why the debate over subsidies, market rules, and nuclear’s future keeps heating up. What do you think: should nuclear power have to compete without government help, or is keeping plants open worth the cost?