Legislation which would require 35% of Pennsylvania’s electric supply to be clean energy by 2035 is “sound fiscal policy” and will help ensure that the US state’s fleet of commercial nuclear power plants continues to save the people of Pennsylvania from 36.5 million metric tons of emissions, a public hearing was told.

John Kotek senior vice-president, policy and public affairs at the Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute industry group, said the legislation recognises nuclear energy as a clean energy source and values the clean energy produced by a nuclear reactor that provides benefits to the state.

He noted that while 20 states have passed legislation to incentivise nuclear energy in the past year, the Pennsylvania legislation is notable for taking strong action to create a programme for nuclear energy that will secure the long-term operation of “these valuable power stations”.