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New Nuclear Power Plants Need and Status

New Nuclear Power Plants Need and Status ASQ-EED 31 st Energy & Environmental Division Conference September 12, 2004 Adrian Heymer, NEI aph@nei.org , 202-739-8094 Nuclear Power Plants Current Status 103 Operating Units One under major refurbishment

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New Nuclear Power Plants Need and Status

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  1. New Nuclear Power PlantsNeed and Status ASQ-EED 31st Energy & Environmental Division Conference September 12, 2004 Adrian Heymer, NEI aph@nei.org, 202-739-8094

  2. Nuclear Power PlantsCurrent Status • 103 Operating Units • One under major refurbishment • Average capacity factor ~ 90% over last 4 years • 20% of US electricity capacity -- Nuclear • 30% US generation is emission-free • 70% Nuclear; Hydro 18%; Wind 1%; Solar 0.1% • Eliminates ~700 million tons/year of Greenhouse gases

  3. Safety & Economic Improvement

  4. The Need for New Nuclear • US needs 300,000+MW of new generation by 2025 • Increased environmental controls raise siting and cost problems for fossil fuel plants • US industry needs low cost energy to sustain global competitiveness • A diverse and balanced generating portfolio • Non/low-emission base-load generation • Greater energy independence • Nuclear lowest cost base-load generating option

  5. Natural Gas PricesHenry Hub

  6. Why No New Nuclear for 30 Years? • Until mid 90s, anemic operating record • Unpredictable licensing & regulatory process • Design/Construct-As-You-Go approach • Unreliable and prolonged construction • Cost of financing large capital intensive projects in competitive market • Need for innovative approach to financing • Not unique to nuclear • Need for certainty in spent fuel disposal

  7. Improved Approach for Licensing New Plants • Make licensing process more efficient and performance-based • Resolve issues as early as possible • Make more information available earlier • ITAAC concept • One hearing -- opportunity for a second, if acceptance criteria not satisfied • Bank sites & pre-approve standard designs • Complete design prior to construction

  8. Financing New Nuclear Plants • Significant changes since 1970s • Many companies not operating in cost-of-service • Wall Street nervous over improved, yet unproven licensing process • Large capital projects diminish financial performance metrics • Innovative approaches to financing large capital projects • Consortium approach • Public-Private financial structure for large projects that support essential national infrastructure • Loan guarantees, accelerated depreciation, low cost loans,…

  9. Public Perception • Wide ranging policymaker support • Congress & current Administration • Majority of US public support nuclear power plants (60% vs 36%) • Greater among graduates • Public support is substantial, but not deep • Need for continuing education • Existing plants need to maintain high standards of safety performance

  10. New Plant Status • Three designs certified -- Eight in pipeline • LWR & non-LWR designs • Three Early Site Permits under review -- 2006 • Three consortia testing new COL process • DOE-industry partnership -- awaiting DOE decision • 16 companies involved • Industry committed to multi-year project - $650M • Trial license applications being developed • Decisions to order ~ 2008 • Start construction 2009-2010

  11. New Plant Status • Combined construction and operating license application guideline scheduled to be submitted 12/04 for NRC endorsement in 2005 • 24 issues linked to new licensing process • Most being addressed through the NRC review of the COL application guide • NEI Executive Task Force provides oversight of industry issue task forces • Interactions with Congress, States & Wall Street

  12. Need for Continued US Global Leadership in New Nuclear • One third of the world has no electricity • Estimate 70%+ growth in global demand for electricity over next 20 years • If fossil, what’s the impact on the environment & price? • If not fossil, then? • US is a leader in nuclear power technology • If no new nuclear orders in US, technical leadership will be relinquished to Asia, Africa & Europe

  13. Generation IV & Hydrogen • Without Gen III (AP1000 et al) no Gen IV • 50% of workforce will retire in the next decade • Knowledge retention a major issue • Hydrogen – need for pilot plant activities to test & develop infrastructure • Hydrogen is where gasoline was in 1890s • Huge potential for nuclear energy • Long-term need for simplified designs

  14. Need for Involvement • Get involved • YGN, Dominion, a superb example of nuclear workers advocating, on their own time, the benefits & need for nuclear energy • Speak out & attend meetings in your local area • Write to your Congressman, Senator and local officials

  15. New Nuclear Plants? • Yes, if: • Prove new licensing process is predictable & stable • Establish a financial structure for financing large capital cost projects • Nation gets serious about environment • Certainty on spent fuel disposal • Energy costs, the economy & environmental issues will overcome hard-core opposition

  16. Nuclear Energy • Nuclear power plants are safe • US needs a diversified and balanced energy portfolio that provides low-cost and reliable electricity • Nuclear energy is an essential element in maintaining US global competitiveness • More information at: • http://www.nei.org – Public website • http://member.nei.org/ -- for NEI members

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