Dominion Celebrates Renewed Licenses For Two Virginia Nuclear Power Stations
RICHMOND, Va. - The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's
decision to renew the operating licenses of the two Dominion (NYSE: D) nuclear
power stations in Virginia is good news for the state and country, Thos. E.
Capps, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said Thursday.
The NRC Thursday approved the company's application
to extend the operating licenses of North Anna and Surry power stations for
an additional 20 years. The NRC's approval marked the first time that a company
has received two renewals under one license application. (View
the NRC news release.)
"The NRC's action is good news because it
means that safe and reliable nuclear energy will remain an important source
of affordable electricity for Virginians for many years to come. The action
is also important to maintaining a diversity of fuel supply for the nation's
electric customers," said Capps.
"The fact that we were able to obtain renewed
licenses for North Anna and Surry under one license application means our efforts
to streamline and simplify the relicensing process paid off. Time and again,
our nuclear group demonstrates that Dominion has the know-how and talent to
deliver on challenging projects."
North Anna Units 1 and 2, which are located in
Louisa County about 60 miles northwest of Richmond, may now operate until 2038
and 2040, respectively. Surry Units 1 and 2, located in Surry County across
the James River from historic Jamestown, may now operate to 2032 and 2033, respectively.
Each North Anna unit generates 921 megawatts (net) and each Surry unit generates
812 megawatts (net), or enough electricity to power about 850,000 homes.
Over the past decade, North Anna and Surry have
consistently been ranked as among the most efficient commercial nuclear power
stations in the United States, according to Nucleonics Week, an industry
information and database of the McGraw-Hill Companies.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers
of energy, with a diversified and integrated energy portfolio that includes
24,000 megawatts of generation and 6.1 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved
natural gas reserves. Dominion also serves 5 million retail energy customers
in nine states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web
site at www.dom.com.
