Here’s where all the nuclear power plants in the U.S. are and how many exist today
The United States’ fleet of reactors is getting old and without new plants in the pipeline the nation will produce 20% less nuclear power by 2040.
The number of nuclear reactors across the United States has been declining over the years. After peaking at 112 reactors operating across the nation in 1990, with a total generation capacity of over 99,624 megawatts, the number is now down to 94 reactors.
Despite the reduction the output from the remaining fleet has been able to maintain high capacity-utilization rates generating 94,765 megawatts in 2022. And that was before the two most recent reactors to be built came online with a combined capacity of 2,234 megawatts.
While Congress passed the ADVANCE Act with strong bipartisan support last summer hoping to expand the use of nuclear power, tens of reactors are due to be taken out of service in the coming years which will lead to a loss of about a fifth of generation capacity. Despite growing support in recent years for harnessing atom splitting to produce energy, the highest in a decade according to a Gallup survey, no new reactors are in the pipeline.
FACT: The U.S. operates the largest fleet of reactors in the world with 94 units providing secure, affordable, and reliable power to 28 states. pic.twitter.com/XlEnXyV8SE
— Office of Nuclear Energy | US Department of Energy (@GovNuclear) June 4, 2025
The nuclear plants operating in the US in 2025
There are now 94 nuclear reactors operating at 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states as of June 2024. Those reactors in 2023 produced 775 billion kilowatthours of electricity, enough to power over 72 million homes. The United States produces the most nuclear energy of any country.
In May 2024, the most recent nuclear reactor to come online was the Unit 4 at Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia. The year before Unit 3 at the same facility began commercial operation.
The additions made the now four-reactor Vogtle nuclear power plant the largest generator of clean energy in the nation. It has a combined total 4,536 MW net summer electricity generation capacity.
With 11 reactors, Illinois is the state in the US with the most. And like South Carolina and New Hampshire it receives over half of its electricity from nuclear fission.
Nuclear energy is the most reliable source of power
Nuclear energy is one of the most reliable sources of energy in the United States. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, nuclear power plants ran at full capacity over 93% of the time in 2023. They are designed to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Furthermore, they can do so over longer periods of time before they need to be refueled thanks to less need for maintenance. They need to be refueled generally every year and a half to two years.
Since the 1990s, when the number of operational reactors peaked, 20% of the nation’s energy has been supplied by nuclear. In 2023, it was the largest source of clean energy providing 48% of America’s carbon-free electricity according to the Department of Energy.
However, the fleet of reactors is getting old, the average commercial reactor is 42, they typically last 40 years but can be extended. 22 commercial reactors are in various stages of decommissioning according to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and none are currently in the pipeline to replace them. That means the US is projected to produce 20% less nuclear energy by 2040 than it does today.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment