RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion
Virginia Power, a unit of Dominion (NYSE: D), today became the
first U.S utility to notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of
its intent to file a second license renewal application for one of
its nuclear stations. Surry Power
Station would be one of the first nuclear stations in the
nation to receive a second license extension if Dominion completes
the process and the application is approved.
David A. Christian, chief
executive officer of the company's Dominion Generation business
unit, made the announcement at a White House symposium on the
future of nuclear energy in the United
States.
The company is reviewing all technical aspects associated with
the renewal, and while not yet complete, sees no significant
barriers that would prevent a license renewal submittal in 2019.
The letter of intent is necessary so the NRC can plan its staffing
needs to support the license renewal effort. Moving forward
with the license renewal application will require the approval of
the company's board of directors.
"Renewing Surry Power Station's licenses for a second 20-year
period is good news for our customers, the regional economy and the
environment," Christian said. "Our customers will benefit by
continuing to receive safe, reliable and low-cost electricity from
the station through the middle of the century. Our nuclear power
stations have proven to be among the most efficient and most
reliable sources of electricity in our fleet.
"The operation of Surry also positions Virginia for economic growth. It supports more
than 950 high-paying jobs at the station and produces additional
economic and tax benefits.
"And, Surry – like the nation's other 61 nuclear stations –
provides the backbone for the nation's carbon-free power
generation. In the case of Surry, it produces 20 percent of the
electricity used in Virginia. Its
continued operation could assist in meeting and maintaining the
state's goals for lowering carbon emissions."
Surry Power Station is located in
Surry County, Va. Its two nuclear
units – both three-loop Westinghouse pressurized water reactors –
provide 1,676 net megawatts of electricity or enough power for
419,000 homes. Unit 1 began commercial service in 1972 and Unit 2
began commercial service in 1973.
Like all U.S. nuclear units, the Surry units originally were
licensed to operate for 40 years. The units' licenses were renewed
for 20 additional years of operation on March 20, 2003, following a stringent review
process authorized under federal law. The Surry nuclear units'
licenses currently expire in 2032 and 2033, but will operate to
2052 and 2053 with renewed licenses.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and
transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 24,400
megawatts of generation, 12,200 miles of natural gas transmission,
gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,490 miles of electric
transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation's
largest natural gas storage systems with 928 billion cubic feet of
storage capacity and serves utility and retail energy customers in
14 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's
website at www.dom.com.
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SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power