UniStar Nuclear has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that a location adjacent to Constellation Energy's existing Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, Md., has been selected as the site for UniStar Nuclear's first combined construction and operating license (COL) application. The application, which will feature UniStar Nuclear's chosen technology, the U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor (EPR), will serve as the reference document for all future UniStar Nuclear COL applications to the NRC.
The identification of a specific site is the first step in a multi-step process required before a COL application can be submitted to the NRC. It does not, however, represent a commitment on the part of Constellation Energy to construct a new nuclear plant at the Calvert Cliffs site.
"Moving ahead with our reference application is an important step in realizing the UniStar Nuclear vision of a fully standardized fleet of U.S. EPR advanced nuclear power plants," said George Vanderheyden, president of UniStar Nuclear. He added that UniStar Nuclear continues its discussions with potential investors, partners and customers interested in new nuclear across the country.
Because UniStar Nuclear is partnering with other business entities for the development of what is expected to be a standardized fleet of new, nuclear power plants across the U.S., each current and future partner will benefit from the reference application. On April 5, UniStar Nuclear announced an agreement with AmerenUE, a Missouri-based utility subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE – News), for the development of a COL application.
UniStar Nuclear plans to submit its reference COL application to the NRC no later than March 15, 2008. For an entity to be eligible for production tax credits under the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, its license application must be accepted by the NRC by December 31, 2008.
