Nuclear Power Plant – Richland, Washington
3 hrs 53 mins / 217.62 miles from Portland
Columbia Generating Station is a 1,150-megawatt boiling water reactor that uses nuclear fission to produce heat. It is the only commercially operated nuclear power plant in the Northwest. Uranium, a naturally occurring element, is the primary fuel source. Our nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and solar projects deliver nearly 1,400 megawatts of reliable, affordable, environmentally responsible electricity to the Northwest power grid. We continually explore and develop new generation opportunities while offering a wide range of energy and business services.
Since nuclear power plants do not emit regulated air pollutants and greenhouse gases, nuclear power is considered "clean energy." The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) estimates that the nation's 104 operating nuclear plants accounted for the avoidance of the following total emissions in 2008:
• 2.65 million short tons of sulfur dioxide.
• 0.91 million short tons of nitrogen oxides.
• 689 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Emissions avoided by Columbia Generating Station in 2008 were estimated by NEI to be approximately:
• 9,750 tons of sulfur dioxide.
• 11,900 tons of nitrogen oxide.
• 7,960,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
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