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UniStar Moves Ahead on Calvert Cliffs Project

By Eric McErlain
Off the wire:
UniStar Nuclear Energy (UNE), a joint venture between Constellation Energy and The EDF Group (EDF), has submitted an application to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the potential construction of a new nuclear unit at Constellation Energy's Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Southern Maryland.

While UNE has not made a final decision to build this new advanced-design reactor at Calvert Cliffs, it has submitted the CPCN to the PSC as a step toward potential construction of a non-greenhouse gas emitting, base-load, 1,600-megawatt generating facility to meet increasing energy demand in the Mid-Atlantic region, and in particular, the state of Maryland.

"A third reactor at our high-performing Calvert Cliffs site offers the potential for an economic and environmentally sound means to provide additional base-load electricity to meet anticipated growth, both regionally and within the state of Maryland," said Michael J. Wallace, executive vice president, Constellation Energy and chairman, UNE. "Given the extreme volatility of energy prices worldwide and the significant environmental costs associated with new and anticipated regulation governing coal-fired generation, we believe nuclear energy affords our nation the most economic and environmentally friendly alternative to meet what will no doubt continue to be increasing demand for energy."
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Anonymous said…
Areva needs to get the full DCD submitted and accepted. Once that is done, then Unistar needs to get the full COL for Calvert submitted and accepted. Realistic assumptions for DCD approval are four to five years, and their docket clock will not start until 2008. The COL cannot get approved until the DCD is approved. The NRC was not happy with even the partial COL that was submitted by Unistar. Areva and Unistar have great aspirations, but they are getting tripped up by required reviews. Also, the Maryland PSC will need to do their approvals, and that is the same board that rejected the FPL / Constellation merger. Areva and Unistar have their hands full getting this project off of the ground if you ask me.
November 19, 2007 at 2:35 PM
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