The FEIS is the fourth of five detailed studies being prepared to support a future decision by the TVA board about whether to operate a nuclear reactor at Bellefonte. The fifth study will evaluate the financing options to support construction. TVA directors are expected to make a decision on the proposed nuclear unit at a meeting scheduled for 20 August. The authority is also in the process of developing an Integrated Resource Plan to help identify regional electricity needs over the next two years.
Work began on two PWRs at Bellefonte in the 1970s but construction was suspended in 1988 when power demand fell. At that point, unit 1 was 88% complete and unit 2 about 58% complete.
In a unique regulatory move, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has since reinstated the construction licences for the partially built plants, restoring the status of the cancelled reactors first to “terminated” and then, in January 2010, to “deferred” status. The reinstated construction licences for Bellefonte units 1 and 2 are due to expire in 2011 and 2014 respectively.
TVA has already completed four mothballed reactors (three units at Browns Ferry and Watts Bar unit 1) and is working on a project to bring a fifth (Watts Bar unit 2) into service by 2013.Bellefonte was originally chosen by the NuStart consortium as the reference COL application for the AP1000, but the consortium subsequently decided to transfer the reference application to the Vogtle site in Georgia, where Southern Nuclear Operating Company has plans for two of the units.
If you liked this article, please give it a quick review on Reddit, or StumbleUpon. Thanks
Supporting Advertising
Business Success
How to Make Money
Executive Jobs
Paid Surveys
Thank You
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.