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ENERCON Prepares Combined Operating License Applications for New Nuclear Power Plant for NuStart Energy Development

Posted on: Wednesday, 31 October 2007, 12:00 CDT

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation's largest public power utility, has submitted an application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license that would allow for the future construction and operation of a new nuclear power plant based on Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor design. The application is for a two-unit plant that could potentially be located at TVA's Bellefonte site near Scottsboro, Alabama. Development of the application was led by NuStart Energy, the nation's largest consortium of nuclear energy companies, utilizing Enercon Services, Inc (ENERCON) as the primary contractor.

John D. Richardson, president of ENERCON noted that the company led a team of engineering and specialty consulting companies to prepare the application and complete the engineering and technical studies that provide the basis for the application. The application took over 20 months to prepare and included extensive studies of the proposed site, completion of detailed engineering calculations, and close cooperation with Westinghouse.

"ENERCON is proud to have helped our client develop a strong application that addresses the complex regulatory requirements that govern licensing of new nuclear power plants. We have drawn upon 24 years of experience in supporting the United States' 104 operating nuclear power plants, as well as the unique capabilities of our team. This application is particularly important because it will serve as the basis for four other utilities that will be submitting additional applications using the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor design," stated Richardson.

"The submittal of this application is a major accomplishment for ENERCON, NuStart, and the nuclear power industry. We have proven that we can work together to solve technically complex problems, assure the public's health and safety, and protect the environment while doing so on time and on budget. I am very proud of the hard work of our engineers, scientists and environmental specialists," said Bob Evans, vice president of ENERCON's New Plant Services Division."

TVA has not yet decided to build new units at Bellefonte, but submission of a license application represents a major milestone in the work required to preserve the option to use nuclear power some time in the future. The submittal of the application sets the stage for a thorough and comprehensive review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission before the final license is issued and that can help build certainty into the regulatory schedule for this and future applications.

"The Department of Energy's NP2010 initiative has paved the way for the industry to work together as never before to develop technical, regulatory, and other opportunities that can renew nuclear energy in the United States," said NuStart President Marilyn Kray. "NuStart has been at the forefront of these efforts and prominent in establishing standardized license applications using the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's design-centered review approach."

ENERCON is a diversified energy consulting company offering engineering, environmental and management services. ENERCON is an employee owned company of over 600 people located in 14 offices nationwide with an annual revenue of $130 million. With clients including well over half of the country's nuclear power plants, the Department of Energy and many Fortune 500 companies, ENERCON delivers innovative solutions to energy and process industries.

ENERCON

CONTACT: Peggy Striegel, 1-800-663-1136, ext. 11, peggy@striegela.com,for ENERCON

Source: PRNewswire

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