Exelon Nuclear Names Texas Site For Possible New ESBWR
Written by NucNet
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
NucNet News No. 259
19 Dec (NucNet): US utility Exelon Nuclear has chosen Victoria County
in southeast Texas as the site for the potential construction of a new
nuclear power plant.
Exelon Nuclear confirmed yesterday that it expects to submit a combined construction and operating licence (COL) application to the country's Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in September 2008.
The utility has been studying two possible locations in Texas, in Matagorda and Victoria counties, and said in November 2007 that it will use GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy's (GEH) Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) if it decides to go ahead and build.
Selection of the ESBWR design did not indicate any definite intention to build a new plant, the utility said. It is, however, a necessary step in preparing the COL application, which is expected to cost about 23 million US dollars (15 million euro).
Submitting the application in 2008 also allows the utility to participate in nuclear production tax credits, financial risk insurance and federal loan guarantees specified in the 2005 Energy Policy Act.
The Victoria County site is an area of about 4.6 hectares. If built, the plant will use a man-made freshwater lake for cooling.
As of 7 December 2007, the NRC said it had received COL applications for a potential six units at four sites: proposed units 3 and 4 at the Bellefonte plant in Alabama, a proposed third unit at the Calvert Cliffs plant in Maryland, a proposed third unit at the North Anna plant in Virginia and proposed units 3 and 4 at the South Texas Project in Texas.
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Exelon Chooses Texas Sites For Possible New Build (World Nuclear Review No. 26, 29 July 2007)
Exelon Chooses ESBWR For Possible Texas Plant (News No. 240, 13 November 2007)
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