Pennsylvania produces more electricity than any other state in the Northeast or Midwest, and nuclear energy provides a major share of that power. Nuclear power is more than an energy source; it’s a pillar of jobs, growth, and economic stability across the commonwealth.  

If you know me, you know how central the nuclear industry is to my identity. Before my time in the General Assembly, I spent years at the Berwick nuclear station as a proud, card-carrying union member. Before that, I worked for Bechtel Power Corporation and Pennsylvania Power and Light. Those experiences gave me stability and a sense of purpose that extended well beyond a paycheck. I know my fellow IBEW Local 1600 members share that same pride in the work we did, and continue to do, to keep the lights on across the region.  

It’s impossible to overstate the impact this industry has on Pennsylvania. Nuclear plants are often the largest employers in their communities. Beyond the reactors, nuclear energy powers a vast industrial supply chain that includes precision-engineered components, advanced control systems, and ongoing maintenance. This sector provides millions of labor hours for thousands of contract workers in the building and construction trades. It creates opportunities for local apprentices, helping young men and women embark on paths to the American dream of middle-class lives and economic stability. 

Operating and maintaining our five plants contributes more than $2 billion to the commonwealth’s GDP and keeps skilled workers on the job while strengthening local economies.  

Clearly, nuclear power has been doing right by us. And if we seize this moment, the potential for growth is even greater.  

Major tech companies and other heavy power users are increasingly relying on nuclear energy. Data centers, AI firms and advanced manufacturers can’t bet on inconsistent and intermittent power; they need firm, reliable, round-the-clock electricity. Nuclear energy delivers steady and clean energy better than any other source.  

That’s why the establishment of the Crane Clean Energy Center, or Three Mile Island, is so important. It is a $1.6 billion investment in Pennsylvania. It will add approximately $16 billion to our state GDP and generate $3.6 billion in tax revenue over the next two decades. The economic ripple effects will be felt across the commonwealth.   

The investment did not come as a surprise. Our state is uniquely positioned for the nuclear renaissance. We boast a combination of energy capacity and digital infrastructure that makes us competitive. We rank second only to Texas in total electricity generation. This kind of scale is crucial for industries that require reliable, affordable energy. Companies are hunting for affordable land, robust infrastructure, and dependable power. In Pennsylvania, they find all three.  

The future of nuclear power is also becoming more flexible and scalable. Advanced designs like small modular reactors and microreactors can create even more high-tech manufacturing opportunities and union careers across Pennsylvania—if we embrace this opportunity.  

But there’s a catch: nuclear growth requires certainty. Federal tax credits for nuclear energy are essential to providing certainty for private-sector investment and keeping costs competitive. If Congress were to repeal these credits, project and energy costs will skyrocket, putting clean energy progress, job creation and U.S. competitiveness at risk.  

Rep. Dan Meuser was right to call eliminating these incentives “a mistake.” Reps. Robert Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie also support the tax credits, seeing that “energy expansion and innovation is necessary to bolster national security, create good-paying American jobs, and guarantee energy independence.” 

These leaders understand that we should be attracting investment, not driving it away. With the talent, infrastructure, and energy resources already in place, Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to become the destination of choice for tech companies, manufacturers, and innovators seeking a long-term home.  

Baseload power means economic power—for Scranton, Berwick, Columbia County and all of Pennsylvania.

We need to move beyond outdated arguments and ensure that nuclear energy has the tools to succeed. Supporting nuclear tax credits is the pro-growth, pro-worker, pro-Pennsylvania position.

David Millard is a former Pennsylvania state representative. He represented the 109th Legislative District, covering Columbia County.