Glossary

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Nuclear energy - Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in a reactor to heat water into steam, turn a turbine, and then generate electricity. Nuclear power helps, fight climate change, produces reliable electricity, protects the environment, and boosts international development. 

Renewable energy - Renewable energy is extracted from natural resources that will replenish in a human timescale. In other words, they are a part of our planet’s ecosystem and aren’t going to run out. The main renewable energy sources are solar, air, wind, biomass, hydro power, geothermal, and biofuels.

Baseload power - Baseload power refers to the minimum amount of electric power needed to be supplied to the electrical grid at any given time. While nuclear power operates over ninety percent of the time, solar power operate closer to twenty-five to thirty percent.

Fossil fuels - Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons, primarily coal, fuel oil or natural gas, formed from the remains of dead plants and animals. Fossil fuels are currently the world's primary energy source. They can also irreparably harm the environment. 

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the burning of fossil fuels was responsible for 76 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect and could lead to potentially catastrophic changes in the Earth’s climate.

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Energy independence - Nations that export the resources used to create electricity to other nations gain more political leverage than nations that rely on imported fuels to meet their demands. If a nation refuses to sell oil to other nations, those nations may suffer due to lack of fuel to meet their domestic needs.