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Leading Energy Companies Form Alliance to Develop First U.S. Clean Energy Park Project in Ohio

Posted on: Thursday, 18 June 2009, 11:23 CDT

PIKETON, Ohio, June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland today joined executives from Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), AREVA, USEC Inc., UniStar Nuclear Energy and the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI) to announce the formation of an alliance to pursue the development of America's first clean energy park project at a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) site in Piketon, Ohio.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO )

Known as the Southern Ohio Clean Energy Park Alliance, the partnership will evaluate the DOE Portsmouth site in Piketon, Ohio, as a potential location for a new nuclear power plant, including preparing a plant siting study and licensing documents for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

"The Piketon facility and people of this community have seen a number of partnerships come and go over the years. This partnership is different because it brings together the resources and experience necessary to transform this site into a revolutionary clean energy park," said Strickland. "The project will revitalize the region's economy, further advance Ohio's nuclear infrastructure, help address our energy needs and be part of Ohio's solution to the challenge of climate change."

"We face the indisputable fact that our nation and our world are transitioning to a low-carbon future," said Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy. "Today, with the creation of this clean energy park demonstration project - the partners in this alliance, the state of Ohio and our country, are edging a little further across the bridge to that future," Rogers added.

The clean energy park concept builds upon a DOE initiative to transform former weapons sites into energy parks focused on future clean energy production. Such initiatives would allow reuse of existing assets, aid in the cleanup of these sites, and support sustainable economic development for their respective regions.

Duke Energy, AREVA, USEC and UniStar Nuclear Energy are leaders in the nuclear energy and federal services sectors, while SODI has a proven record of implementing economic development in southern Ohio. Duke will manage the project, provide project oversight and serve as the applicant for any NRC licensing applications.

"AREVA looks forward to helping the Alliance develop a clean energy park that would create sustainable jobs and economic development for southern Ohio," said Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of AREVA. "An advanced reactor, such as the U.S. EPR(TM), offers many benefits to the region including providing reliable electricity to more than one million households, without producing greenhouse gases."

"We are excited about sharing our expertise in working on the site and providing the new park with the top-notch infrastructure like electricity, water, sewer and roads the park will need to power Ohio's economic and energy future," said John Welch, CEO of USEC Inc.

"We are pleased to be a part of this forward-thinking and forward-acting alliance that is ready to advance America's and Ohio's clean-air energy goals," said George Vanderheyden, President and CEO of UniStar. "UniStar's flexible business model and pursuit of standardized nuclear energy facilities enables us to bring a range of development services to this innovative project."

The alliance will work to ensure the successful completion of this demonstration project, which would establish a model for future commercial investment and cooperation with local communities and the federal government at other DOE sites. The partnership is requesting DOE funding for the initial phase of the project, which would include development of a generic Early Site Permit and review of site decommissioning plans.

DOE's Portsmouth site is located on a 3,700 acre reservation in Pike County, Ohio, and possesses many of the vital resources needed for the development of a centrally located Midwest commercial nuclear energy park.

More About

Duke Energy

Duke Energy is the third largest electric power holding company in the United States, based on kilowatt-hour sales. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states - North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky -- representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Duke Energy's commercial power and international business segments operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com

AREVA

As the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector, AREVA Inc.'s 6,000 U.S. energy employees are committed to serving the nation and paving the way for the future of the electricity market. With 45 locations across the nation and nearly $2 billion in energy revenues in 2008, AREVA Inc., through its subsidiaries, combines U.S. leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven track record of performance. In the U.S. and in more than 100 countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in the 21st century's greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting responsibly toward future generations. AREVA Inc. is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: http://us.areva.com.

USEC Inc.

USEC Inc. is a leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. USEC has a lease with the DOE for a significant portion of the Piketon site and has more than 1,100 employees at this site. Additionally, USEC recently licensed the American Centrifuge Plant with the NRC at this site. USEC's Government Services Group also performs extensive contract work at this site under a prime contract with the DOE.

UniStar Nuclear Energy

UniStar Nuclear Energy, a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) and EDF Group, is powering the nuclear renaissance in North America through industry leadership, disciplined business practices and effective risk-management. Based in Baltimore, Md., UniStar Nuclear Energy provides the licensing, construction and operating services needed to support the expansion of clean, safe and sustainable nuclear energy in the United States.

SODI

The purpose of the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI) is to successfully transition four Ohio counties; Jackson, Pike, Ross and Scioto, from dependence on the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant to greater long-term economic stability.

CONTACTS: Duke Energy Rita Sipe 704-382-8333 AREVA Jarret Adams 301-841-1695 UniStar Lori Vidil Dries 443-514-5398 USEC Inc. Elizabeth Stuckle 301-564-3399

SOURCE Duke Energy

Source: PR Newswire

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