Two major energy companies are pulling out of the Nuclear Energy Institute as the energy sector faces an uncertain future.

Entergy and NextEra Energy have decided not to renew their memberships in the association, Southeast Energy News reported Thursday. Entergy operates 12 nuclear power reactors in the U.S. while NextEra operates three.

NEI spokesman John Keely told the news site that his association was disappointed by the companies' decisions, "but remain committed to our role as the voice for the nuclear industry."

NEI has about 300 members in 17 countries, according to the association's website.

The departures come as the U.S. nuclear industry struggles to survive. Nuclear energy is facing stiff competition from cheaper natural gas and a boom in solar and wind power production. New nuclear reactors also have proven cost prohibitive to build.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry had floated a plan to help nuclear and coal producers by having the government subsidize energy produced by both industries, but the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected the proposal by unanimous vote Jan. 8. http://bit.ly/2DP9N5p

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