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Final Rule Completed on Federal Risk Insurance

By Eric McErlain
From the Department of Energy:
After touring Georgia Power and speaking to its employees, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today announced completion of the final rule that establishes the process for utility companies building the next six new nuclear power plants in the United States to qualify for a portion of $2 billion in federal risk insurance. The rule will be available on DOEÂ’s web site soon.

“Providing federal risk insurance is an important step in speeding the nuclear renaissance in this country,” Secretary Bodman said. “Companies that take risks and enter the market first after a 30-year hiatus should not be penalized by hold-ups that are not their fault. This risk insurance protects them against bureaucratic and legal issues that delay their start-up.”

This risk insurance, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), will provide an important incentive to begin the licensing and construction of the new nuclear power plants essential to meeting our future energy needs, safely, economically and in an environmentally sound manner. The risk insurance covers costs associated with certain regulatory or litigation related delays - that are no fault of the company - that stall the start-up of these plants. Up to $500 million in coverage is available for the initial two plants for which construction is started and up to $250 million is available for the next four plants.
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