First
Wave of New Reactor License Applications for UniStar Sites Accepted and
Docketed by Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Applications for
Proposed Plants in Maryland, New York, Missouri and
Pennsylvania Advance to Technical Review Phase
BALTIMORE, Jan 08,
2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
UniStar Nuclear
Energy, a strategic joint venture of Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG) and EDF
Group, today announced that the initial acceptance review phase is now
complete for the first wave of UniStar's proposed fleet of advanced nuclear
power plants in the United States. The milestone was achieved with the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) recent announcement that it has
accepted and docketed PPL's combined license (COL) application for a U.S.
Evolutionary Power Reactor (U.S. EPR) at PPL's proposed Bell Bend site near
Berwick, Pa.
PPL, a UniStar
partner, submitted its application to the NRC on Oct. 10, 2008.
"Achieving this
important regulatory milestone for all four projects was a primary goal for
UniStar during 2008, and we congratulate PPL on its recent
accomplishment," said George Vanderheyden, president and chief executive
officer of UniStar. "Having four of four projects under technical review
by the NRC clearly demonstrates UniStar's continued leadership and momentum
as we work to develop the next generation of nuclear power plant technology
to support our nation's future energy needs and clean air objectives."
In addition to
UniStar's significant regulatory progress in 2008, Vanderheyden noted that
public support has been strong for the proposed UniStar projects, especially
in states where the projects are in a more advanced phase.
"As I attended
public meetings in Maryland and New York, I was impressed by the depth and
breadth of public support for the new reactors," said Vanderheyden. "We
continue to hear from community leaders who are keenly aware of our excellent
record related to safety and reliability, and welcome the economic and
environmental benefits of these proposed nuclear plants."
On Dec. 18, 2008,
UniStar announced the NRC's acceptance and docketing of its application for a
proposed plant in Scriba, N.Y., adjacent to Constellation Energy's Nine Mile
Point Nuclear Station.
In 2007, UniStar
submitted its first, or "reference" application, for a proposed
reactor in Maryland. The three subsequent applications, including one by
AmerenUE for a proposed U.S. EPR in Missouri, leveraged the experience gained
by UniStar in preparing the Calvert Cliffs application. NRC review of the
applications is expected to take 36 to 42 months from the time the
applications were submitted.
UniStar and its
partners have not made a final decision to proceed with any of the proposed
reactors. UniStar noted a final decision will not be made about its proposed
plants in Maryland and New York until the company's expectations have been
met regarding safety, cost, regulatory stability and bipartisan federal,
state and local support.
AREVA's U.S. EPR is an
evolutionary, 1,600-megawatt design based on reactors currently operating in
Europe. Each of the proposed plants would provide electricity to more than
one million homes and is expected to create approximately 4,000 construction
jobs and about 360 permanent jobs.
Nuclear power is
considered an essential component of a diverse mix of energy sources for its
ability to reliably generate baseloadelectricity - power thatis
constant 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is not affected by weather or
climate.
About UniStar
UniStar Nuclear
Energy, a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG) and
EDF Group, is powering the nuclear renaissance in North America through
industry leadership, disciplined business practices and effective
risk-management. Based in Baltimore, Md., UniStar Nuclear Energy provides the
licensing, construction and operating services needed to support the
expansion of clean, safe and sustainable nuclear energy in the United States.
About Constellation
Energy
Constellation Energy (www.constellation.com), a FORTUNE 125 company with 2007 revenues of $21 billion, is the
nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and
industrial customers and the nation's largest wholesale power seller. Constellation
Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive
industries and utilities. It owns a diversified fleet of generating units
located throughout the United States, totaling approximately 9,000 megawatts
of generating capacity. The company delivers electricity and natural gas
through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility
in Central Maryland.
About EDF Group
The EDF Group, one of
the leaders in the energy market in Europe, is an integrated energy company
active in all businesses: production, transport, distribution, energy selling
and trading. The Group is the leading electricity producer in Europe. EDF's
nuclear production capacity, the largest in the world, consists of 58 power
plants on 19 sites. In France, it has mainly nuclear and hydroelectric power
plants where 95% of the electricity output involves no CO2
emissions. EDF's transport and distribution subsidiaries operate 1,246,000 km
of low and medium voltage overhead and underground electricity lines and
around 100,000 km of high and very high voltage networks. The Group is involved
in supplying energy and services to more than 38 million customers around the
world, including more than 28 million in France. The Group generated
consolidated sales of EUR 59.6 billion, (or $81.06 billion1), in
2007, of which 44 percent originated in Europe excluding France. EDF is
listed on the NYSE-Euronext Paris stock exchange as one of the largest market
cap companies.
11EUR = 1,36 US$
About PPL
PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls more
than 11,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells
energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to about 4 million
customers in Pennsylvania and the United Kingdom.
About AREVA
As the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the
electricity transmission and distribution sector, AREVA Inc.'s 5,300 U.S.
energy employees are committed to serving the nation and paving the way for
the future of the electricity market. With 45 locations across the nation and
nearly $2 billion in energy revenues in 2007, AREVA Inc., through its
subsidiaries, combines U.S. leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a
proven track record of performance. In the U.S. and in more than 100
countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in the 21st century's greatest
challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting
responsibly toward future generations. AREVA Inc. is headquartered in
Bethesda, Md.
SOURCE: UniStar Nuclear Energy
UniStar Nuclear Energy
Maureen Brown or Lori A. Vidil
410-470-7433