Exelon today is the largest producer of emissions-free energy in the U.S., and as such we work with customers and the communities we serve to help them meet their environmental and economic goals. We do this by connecting customers to clean energy from solar, wind, nuclear and hydro power, as well as technology that helps them reduce energy use by increasing efficiency.
Demand for clean energy will only accelerate as hundreds of large, energy-intensive companies including Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft announce plans to meet 100 percent of their energy needs with clean energy sources. Numerous states and dozens of large cities also have committed to meet or exceed emissions-reduction targets under the Paris Climate Accord.
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The U.S. Department of Energy reports that since 2008, the cost of wind energy has fallen 41 percent and solar has fallen 64 percent, making clean energy an increasingly affordable option. Exelon Generation currently operates 42 wind energy projects across 11 states, making up almost 5 percent of our entire energy portfolio. By using technology and innovation,
such as Predix, we’ve reached a 95.8 percent capture rate for both our wind and solar energy sources.
Since 2011, Constellation has helped more than 315 schools install more than 100 megawatts of solar generation in Arizona and California. These solar power systems demonstrate a commitment to the environment by reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources and fixing long-term energy costs for the schools. These projects have reduced CO2 emissions by 1.4 billion pounds, the equivalent emissions of nearly 75 million gallons of gasoline consumed or more than 1.5 million barrels of oil consumed. *
Although wind and solar energy are making incredible strides toward a cleaner future, nuclear energy remains by far the largest source of zero-carbon energy in the US. The nation’s 99 nuclear reactors generate almost 60 percent of its clean energy. Exelon Generation is proud to operate 23 of those reactors, which generate about 20 percent of the nation’s nuclear energy.
Beyond low-carbon and carbon-free energy sources, we’re always looking for other innovative ways to reduce emissions, such as carbon capture. Through new technology,
which Exelon is proud to invest in, carbon emitted by natural gas-fueled energy production will be captured before it is released into the air.
Creating a low-carbon future will require continued investment in new sources of emissions-free energy, building on what we have today. To that end, Exelon partners with national labs and top universities to develop next-generation energy technologies and speed them to market for the benefit of our customers. At the same time, we’re working with policymakers to fix acknowledged flaws in energy markets that put our nation’s largest sources of emissions-free power – nuclear plants -- at risk of early retirement.
Beyond creating clean energy – our clean energy facilities deliver something else that’s vital: jobs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, solar photovoltaic installers and wind turbine service technicians are predicted to have the highest percent change of employment between 2016-26. Continuing to operate existing nuclear plants also boosts the economy. Studies show that the average nuclear plant employs 500 people for every 1,000 megawatts of capacity and generates $470 million in annual sales of goods and services, $67 million in federal taxes and $16 million in state and local taxes.
We have more to do. That’s why we’re committed to investing in clean energy and technology to create a more sustainable future.
Learn more and follow our sustainability progress:
*The EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator tool used for environmental offsets is an estimate and approximate and should not be used for emission inventory or formal carbon foot printing exercises.