STP Units 3 & 4 COL submitted

[Rennhack]

NRG Energy Inc. will file papers Tuesday September 25th, 2007 at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeking permission to build and operate two nuclear reactors in Texas, the first such application submitted to the agency in three decades. It signals the start of a possible nuclear revival in the U.S.

NRG's application for a two-reactor addition to an existing nuclear plant in South Texas marks the first full test of a new licensing process at the federal safety agency meant to deal with what is expected to be a flood of applications in the next 15 months.  The industry is on the move, in part, due to concerns about the environmental impact of building plants fired by coal, believed to contribute to global warming.

The NRC has overhauled the approval process and has staffed up a new office in anticipation of receiving applications for permission to build as many as 29 reactors utilizing five reactor designs at a total cost of $60 billion or more. Companies are rushing to submit applications, in part, because the greatest federal incentives will go to first movers; to qualify at all, applications must be received by the end of 2008.

For those firms that submit all the necessary information and satisfy its requirements, the agency is offering a four-year review process that will culminate in a commission decision. It is designed to provide the certainty that was missing in the past, leading to delays and cost overruns by providing a way to apply for both a construction permit and a conditional operating license. In the past, companies had to pursue two separate tracks to get both documents and there was the risk that a plant might be built that it wouldn't be allowed to operate.

NRG says it hopes to have approvals in hand by 2010 covering two new 1,350-megawatt units, based on a General Electric Co design for "advanced boiling water reactors" built by Toshiba Corp. It hopes to have the first unit in operation in 2014 and the second in 2015.

NRG's application likely will revive debate about the wisdom of building more nuclear reactors, especially since the industry still does not have a federal repository for the radioactive waste from an existing U.S. fleet of 104 operating reactors. Efforts to license a waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nev., have been opposed by Nevada officials.

The nuclear industry has regained momentum, in part, because other forms of power generation look problematic. Construction of coal-fired plants undermines efforts to cut carbon-dioxide emissions, needed to combat climate change. Natural-gas-fired plants rely on a fuel whose price volatility has caused problems. And renewable energy mostly comes from wind, rain and sunlight that are intermittent.

This first nuclear application comes from a somewhat unlikely source; NRG is a so-called "merchant generator" that makes electricity at plants that sell power on the open market. It has never built a nuclear plant and doesn't own a utility it can directly bill for the multi-billion-dollar cost.

[wlrun3@aol.com]

   "This first nuclear application comes from a somewhat unlikely source; NRG is a so-called "merchant generator" that makes electricity at plants that sell power on the open market."

   What percentage of plants are now "merchant generators"?

   Is a "merchant generator" responsible to rate payers in any way or, as a "limited liability company", do they rely soley on market profit?

[Rennhack]

NRG Energy Submits Application for New 2,700 Megawatt Nuclear Plant in South Texas
Monday September 24, 3:53 pm ET
First nuclear plant license application in 29 years; Plant will produce no greenhouse gas emissions
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) and South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) will file a Combined Construction and Operating License Application (COLA) today with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build and operate two new nuclear units at the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear power station site. The total rated capacity of the new units, STP 3 and 4, will equal or exceed 2,700 megawatts (MWs) - enough to power more than two million homes. NRG expects to bring the units on line in 2014 and 2015 in order to provide reliable and affordable power to fuel Texas' continued growth and economic prosperity.
"It is a new day for energy in America. Advanced technology nuclear power plants like STP 3 and 4, generating a vast amount of electricity cleanly, safely and reliably, will make an enormous contribution toward the greater energy security of the United States," said David Crane, NRG's President and Chief Executive Officer. "But equally, this announcement heralds a new day for the environment. Advanced nuclear technology is the only currently viable large-scale alternative to traditional coal-fueled generation to produce none of the traditional air emissions--and most importantly in this age of climate change--no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases."
This license submittal continues NRG's leadership role in moving U.S. electrical generation to new, cost-effective baseload power that does not contribute to global climate change and is the first license application submitted to the NRC for a new nuclear plant in 29 years.
STP 3 and 4 are being developed as part of the Company's RepoweringNRG initiative to build approximately 10,000 MW of new, highly efficient, clean power generation facilities that leverage NRG's existing facilities' infrastructure, support a diverse fuel mix to reduce foreign energy dependence, and implement technologies that reduce NRG's carbon intensity.
The South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company, which currently operates units 1 and 2, will operate the new units as well.
The U.S. Department of Energy projects that the United States will need 40 percent more electricity by 2030. According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), energy needs in Texas alone will grow by 10,000 MWs by 2014. STP 3 and 4 will help meet this growing demand without increasing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil. These new units also will help reduce demands on domestic supplies of natural gas, on which Texas currently depends on for most of its power generation requirements.
"This is an historic event for the future of nuclear power in America. Around the world, consumers are benefiting from clean, efficient nuclear power. Finally, as a result of years of hard work, our nation is now on the verge of taking greater advantage of this technology. I'm excited to see an investor-owned company submit the first combined operating license application in nearly 30 years, and I hope it is the first of many to come," said United States Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), who serves as ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
"Nuclear power is an essential component of any comprehensive national energy plan," said United States Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.). "It has been 20 years since we have built a nuclear power plant, and it is long past time that we build a new one. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, 35 new nuclear power plants are needed in the next 40 years to keep pace with our escalating energy demand. A new power plant in Texas will prove to help combat the impact of global climate change and allow America to continue on a path toward energy independence."
The STP site in Matagorda County, Texas is considered to be one of the best sites in America for nuclear expansion. The 12,220-acre site and 7,000-acre cooling reservoir were originally designed for four units. The two new units will be built adjacent to the currently operating STP units 1 and 2.
"We are very pleased to be a part of this milestone application for the first new nuclear plant in decades," said Judge Nate McDonald, Matagorda County Judge. "The South Texas Project has an outstanding record of safety and excellent performance and is a good neighbor in our community. We welcome this expansion to Matagorda County and look forward to helping bring additional clean, safe nuclear power to Texas."
NRG has chosen Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) technology for the new units to be built at the STP site. The technology reflects 50 years of continued evolution of boiling water reactor (BWR) technology and combines the best features of the worldwide BWR fleet with advanced technology enhancements that improve safety, performance and longevity. ABWR technology is certified by the NRC and has an impressive construction and operational track record. This includes setting world records for construction time and bringing the units in on budget.
Four ABWR units have been successfully commissioned in Japan, with another three units under construction in Taiwan and Japan. The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. has more than a decade of experience in ABWR operations and has provided their expertise to supporting STP's planned two-unit expansion.
"We have chosen NRC-certified, operationally proven technology and the best possible, most experienced team to build STP 3 and 4," added Crane. "We expect to build these facilities on time, on budget and to the exacting standards that will guarantee excellence in safe and reliable nuclear operations."
In June 2006, NRG filed its letter of intent to submit an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construct STP units 3 and 4. STPNOC, together with a contracting team successfully led by GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GE-H) and Bechtel, has prepared the COLA for STP units 3 and 4 in just over one year for submittal to the NRC.
With the COLA submitted, the NRC begins an estimated two-month acceptance review process. It is then anticipated that the NRC could take up to 42 months for its detailed review process including staff discovery, site visits, company responses, hearings and NRC Environmental Impact Statements. Assuming this schedule, NRG would hope to receive its license approval and begin construction in 2010. With this time frame, STP unit 3 should come on line in 2014 and unit 4 in 2015.
The multibillion dollar investment is expected to generate more than $9 billion of economic benefit principally in the South Texas area, require 4,000 to 6,000 construction workers, and result in about 800 new operating staff positions at the plant.
About NRG
A Fortune 500 company, NRG Energy, Inc. owns and operates a diverse portfolio of power- generating facilities, primarily in Texas and the Northeast, South Central and West regions of the United States and also in Australia, Germany and Brazil. NRG is a member of USCAP, a diverse group of business and environmental organizations standing together in calling for mandatory legislation to achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. NRG is also a founding member of "3C--Combat Climate Change," a global initiative with 42 business leaders calling on the global business community to take a leadership role in designing the road map to a low carbon society. More information on NRG is available at www.nrgenergy.com <http://www.nrgenergy.com>.
About the South Texas Project
STP's reactors supply power to Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and surrounding areas. The plant is managed by the STP Nuclear Operating Company and units 1 and 2 are owned by NRG Energy (44 percent), CPS Energy (40 percent) and Austin Energy (16 percent). STP's twin reactors produce nearly 2,700 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 2.1 million homes. More information about the South Texas Project is available at www.stpnoc.com <http://www.stpnoc.com>.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include the proposed timing and NRG's expectations regarding the South Texas Project and nuclear power plant expansion and typically can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "expect," "believe," and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, general economic conditions, permitting and regulatory obstacles, and construction delays.
NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG's future results included in NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov <http://www.sec.gov>.
Fact sheets and photos on the STP expansion will be available at www.nrgenergy.com.

[rlbinc]

I'm glad to see the paper move, I'll be happier when I see concrete move, and ecstatic when I see Control Rods move.

It's a good day, indeed.

[RobBen2010]

I am retired for the U.S. Coast Guard, and I am a Industrial Millwright. I have over 28 years in the mechanical industry. My question is: Does anyone know who has the contract for the construction project and when they might be hiring? Also is there any pertraining needed before been considered for employment by STP? I have looked all over the internet, and can not find anything. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Robert B.

[Incline]

I believe Fluor will have the construction side of 3&4. I honestly don't know what STP or Fluor would require for training. My guess would be site specific training of some kind and a practical/skills test at minimum. Hope this helps.

[cairnit]

Actually there may not much required for site specifics. This will be a construction site, most likely only on owner controlled area outside security fence. The utility may, however, want to train some so there are workers available at the outages or for additional projects onsite but this scenario would mean that the contractor handling the new unit contsruction would also have a contract for work on the existing units.

[redline]

I don't know about training, and I doubt the construction contract has been signed.

But I'm pretty sure that security for all new nuclear construction sites will be no different in the future than what we have right now inside the fence. Unescorted access requirements, FFD, BOP etc.

Actually there may not much required for site specifics. This will be a construction site, most likely only on owner controlled area outside security fence. The utility may, however, want to train some so there are workers available at the outages or for additional projects onsite but this scenario would mean that the contractor handling the new unit contsruction would also have a contract for work on the existing units.