Work to Focus on Technical Documents and Analysis for
Obtaining a Construction and Operating License Based
on AREVA's U.S. EPR Nuclear Plant Design
BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 21 -AREVA Inc., today announced that the company has received an award from Baltimore-based Constellation Energy to provide the technical support necessary for obtaining a Construction and Operating License (COL) based on AREVA's U.S. EPR design. The order is based on the possibility that Constellation may build a U.S. EPR at a yet to be named site within its current fleet of nuclear power plants. Potential locations being considered are the Calvert Cliffs site in southeastern Maryland and the Nine Mile Point site in upstate New York.
"This is an important step toward building the first U.S. EPR in the United States," said Tom Christopher, AREVA Inc. CEO. "The next nuclear plant to be built in this nation will be the result of a series of deliberate steps that will ensure that the plant and site are licensed before any major capital investment is made by the potential plant's owner. This order is one of those steps."
This award is another step down the path toward new nuclear plant construction in the U.S. It follows the September 2005 formation announcement of UniStar Nuclear, a joint venture between Constellation and AREVA Inc., and Constellation's formal notification to the NRC in November 2005 of its intention to submit an application for a COL using U.S. EPR technology.
AREVA will develop the necessary U.S. EPR engineering and licensing documents for submittal to the NRC in the COL application. This work by AREVA includes producing the Final Safety Analysis Report that the NRC reviews to ensure the U.S. EPR will operate safely.
Constellation Energy and AREVA Inc. are partners in the UniStar Nuclear joint venture. This combination, with the addition of subcontractor Bechtel, a premier architect/engineer and constructor, creates a unique opportunity for energy companies and other interested parties to license, construct, own and operate nuclear power plants as part of a standardized fleet.
More about AREVA
As the leading U.S. nuclear supplier and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector, AREVA's 5300 American employees are committed to serve the nation and pave the way for the future of the electricity market. The company's commitment to America is reflected in its initial investment of $200 million in the U.S. EPR. With 40 locations across the nation and nearly $2 billion in revenues in 2004, AREVA combines homegrown leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven track record of performance. In the U.S. and in over 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 towards future generations. AREVA Inc. is headquartered in Bethesda, Md.
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