Fourth nuke plant on hold as federal stimulus funding does not come through
UniStar Nuclear Energy's proposed Nine Mile Point 3 Nuclear Power Plant in the Town of Scriba is on hold, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
UniStar has asked the NRC to suspend temporarily its review of the company's application to build a new reactor.
"Because of uncertainties over the availability of federal loan guarantee money for new nuclear power plants, UniStar has asked us to temporarily suspend our review of its application to build a new reactor at Nine Mile Point," said Neil Sheehan, NRC public affairs officer for Region 1.
In a Dec. 1 letter to the NRC, UniStar notes that Nine Mile Point 3 was not selected as one of four finalists for federal loan guarantees. Without the federal loan guarantee, the company cannot invest in new nuclear energy projects at the same pace it planned, the letter states.
"We are hopeful that advocates of clean air and nuclear energy will continue to push for an additional round of federal loan guarantee funding, and we will continue to monitor those efforts as part of our ongoing project evaluation process," wrote Greg Gibson, UniStar vice president of regulatory affairs.
He added, "We are still committed to our (Nine Mile Point 3) project as one of our first four projects; however, we need to wait for a line of sight to future financing."
UniStar has plans for four new nuclear reactors in the United States, including the reactor at Nine Mile Point, which the company says would be built to the highest safety standards and would recycle 96 percent of spent fuel when generating electricity.
Constellation Energy and UniStar Nuclear Energy submitted an application and associated information Sept. 30, 2008, and updated the application Nov. 18, 2008 seeking approval to build and operate an Evolutionary Power Reactor at the site. If approved, the project would result in 4,000 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs at the plant.
The NRC held two meetings earlier this year at SUNY Oswego. The first session adhered to the NRC's traditional format for a moderated, transcribed meeting to record public comments on the environmental-review process. NRC officials were available for informal discussions with members of the public during the second meeting, which was held at night.
Of the 20 people who testified during the afternoon session, only one spoke against the project.
Assemblyman Will Barclay said he is a strong supporter of a fourth nuclear power plant in Scriba.
"Oswego County should be the energy capital of the United States, as natural resources and its highly skilled work force lend themselves to this prospect," Assemblyman Baclay said. "UniStar has begun a lengthy and arduous application process and has its sights set on Scriba as a likely home for its next nuclear power plant. Locally, we have rallied around this idea and embraced the possibility."
Assemblyman Barclay noted that the project is delayed at the federal level.
"Major hurdles impeding the process are federal loan guarantees," he said. "This is unfortunate, particularly at a time when our country and region could use the high-paying jobs that this project will create. A new facility would increase our tax-base, lower our unemployment rate and create more electricity, which would lower energy costs for residents and businesses."
Assemblyman Barclay said he has sponsored legislation to encourage the construction of another nuclear power plant, written several letters on UniStar's behalf, and spoken at public hearings in support of the new plant.
"I will continue to advocate for Scriba to be home to another nuclear power facility," said Assemblyman Barclay.
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Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station
Constellation Energy
Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station is located north of Syracuse in Scriba, New York, and has two boiling-water reactors. Unit 1 is a 620 MW reactor that entered service in 1970 and Unit 2 is a 1,138 MW reactor that began operation in 1988. As part of the company's balanced growth initiative, Constellation Energy purchased Nine Mile Point in 2001 from Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and other utilities. Constellation Energy now owns 100% of Unit 1 and 82% of Unit 2 -- 1,553 megawatts of Nine Mile Point's 1,758 MW of total generating capacity. The Long Island Power Authority owns 18% of Unit 2.
Key Facts
Location: Scriba, NY
Fuel Type: Nuclear
Reactor: Boiling-water reactor
Capacity: 1,768 MWe
Unit 1: 620 MWe
Unit 2: 1,148 MWe
Online:
Unit 1: 1970
Unit 2: 1988
Operating License:
Unit 1: 2029
Unit 2: 2046
Ownership:
Unit 1: Constellation Energy 100%
Unit 2: Constellation Energy 82%
Long Island Power Authority 18%
Reactor Manufacturer: General Electric
Environment
Nine Mile Point keeps more than half of its 900 acres, much of which is environmentally rich wetlands, in its natural state, allowing vegetation and wildlife to thrive. Deer, fox, turkey, rabbit, and raccoon feed and reproduce in undisturbed habitats on the site.
The plant is also the first nuclear power facility in the U.S. to be certified for meeting the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) voluntary environmental management systems standard. This certification is a clear indication that Nine Mile Point has taken a leadership position in the environmental area. The station has maintained certification for more than 10 years.
Security
At Constellation Energy, the safety and security of our community, employees and neighbors is the top priority. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the company has built upon a strong foundation to further enhance site security. Studies by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Progressive Policy Institute all confirm that nuclear power plants are the most secure facilities in the entire U.S. industrial infrastructure.
Emergency Preparedness Information
At Constellation Energy, we devote extensive resources to plant security and emergency response to ensure the health and safety of the citizens' who live and work in the communities around our plants. In the unlikely event of a plant emergency, we want you to have access to the information you need. We have compiled important information into three separate categories - Emergency Planning, Communicating with the Public and Emergency Planning Zones.
Emergency Planning
Please click here to see the following information:
•Roles & Responsibilities in an Emergency
•Regulatory Oversight
•Federal Regulations
•Contact Information:
◦U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
◦Federal Emergency Management Agency
◦New York State Emergency Management Office
◦Oswego County Emergency Management Office
•Emergency Classifications
•Potassium Iodide (KI)
◦What is KI
◦When to take KI
◦Where is it available and what is the dosage
Communicating with the Public
Please click here to see the following information:
•Nine Mile Point's Siren & Alert System
•Protective Action Guidelines
◦Shelter-in-Place
◦Evacuation
◦Suggestions for:
■Children at School or Day Care
■People with Special Needs
■Pets
■Livestock or Crops
◦Instructions to take Potassium Iodide
◦Emergency Reception Center
Emergency Planning Zones
Please click here to the following information:
•Emergency Response Planning Areas - 1 through 22
If you live near Nine Mile Point, please review the emergency planning information provided here:
Oswego County Emergency Management Office
Emergency Preparedness Calendar