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Nuclear Industry Consortium Applauds U.S. NRC Approval of the Southern Nuclear Combined Construction and Operating License for Plant Vogtle
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2012) – NuStart Energy Development, LLC is a consortium of utilities, including Southern Nuclear, that worked as part of the DOE Nuclear Power 2010 Program to develop the licensing strategy necessary to develop and receive the first Combined Construction and Operating License (COL) from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The material submitted to the NRC will serve as the reference COL application for the Westinghouse dual-unit AP1000® reactor design.
Statement from Marilyn Kray, president, NuStart Energy Development:
“Today’s approval of the license for Southern Nuclear to proceed with construction on Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 is a testament to the successful collaboration of the 10 NuStart member utilities. By coming together, the NuStart consortium members helped reduce risk and uncertainty, manage costs and ensure the best engineering minds in the business were used in the plant licensing process. Vogtle Units 3 and 4 was an ideal host for the reference plant. Their reputation for operational excellence was equally matched by their commitment and cooperativeness. The reality of the Vogtle project far exceeds the initial expectations of the industry.
“This COL application will now be used by other nuclear operators who plan to build new reactors. The completion of this significant step in the nuclear licensing process is a tremendous step forward for communities who want clean, safe, reliable energy in their backyard.
“Today’s success is also a tribute to the DOE who had the foresight to develop the NP2010 Program. This successful government partnership with the industry was an essential element in carrying out the strategy of the Energy Policy Act, which is geared to strengthen the U.S. with a diverse portfolio of electricity generation.”
About NuStart Energy Members:
Providing approximately 60 percent of the electricity generated by nuclear power in the United States, the member utilities of NuStart Energy Development, LLC actively pursue diverse portfolios of generation options to meet their customers’ power needs safely, reliably and efficiently. NuStart members are working together to demonstrate the nation’s licensing process and to complete designs for the first advanced nuclear power reactors in the U.S. in nearly 30 years.
Members of NuStart Energy Development, LLC are:
DTE Energy, Detroit, Mich.; Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C.; EDF Inc., Chevy Chase, Md.; Entergy Nuclear, Jackson, Miss.; Exelon Generation, Kennett Square, Pa.; Florida Power & Light Company, Juno Beach, Fla.; Progress Energy, Raleigh, N.C.; South Carolina Electric & Gas, Columbia, S.C.; Southern Nuclear, Birmingham, Ala.; Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, Tenn.