Understanding Nuclear Energy

Increasingly, there is interest in carbon-free energy sources, or energy sources that emit minimal to no greenhouse gases (GHGs) to produce electricity. Nuclear energy, which is a carbon-free energy source, accounts for about 19 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. However, there are concerns about its potentially harmful health and environmental impacts. This issue brief provides an overview of nuclear energy, its history in Colorado, public health and environmental concerns, and recent technological advancements in nuclear energy.