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So the process starts. The first public Nuclear Regulatory Commission meeting about Exelon’s license application is Thursday.

“We’re expecting a very large turnout,” Victor Dricks, agency spokesman, said.

Because Exelon Nuclear told the commission it would submit its application for a combined license application, the agency wanted to inform residents about nuclear power and the review process. The license would allow Exelon to construct and operate two nuclear reactors located 12 miles south of Victoria.

Tom Forbes, president of Nuclear Energy for Texans, plans to attend and set up a table to inform residents about the benefits of nuclear power. For the past couple weeks, the coalition published advertisements in the Advocate, both in print and online, in advance of this meeting. Forbes said advertisements opposing the Exelon plant also played a role in the ad campaign.

“We want to make it clear to the community that nuclear energy is clean, safe and reliable,” he said.

The coalition formed on June 3 to support the development of new nuclear generation projects in Texas and boasts plenty of members in Victoria. Exelon Nuclear is a sponsor, member and on the steering committee, Forbes said.

Several members of Texans for a Sound Energy Policy Alliance, which published ads in the Advocate questioning the benefit of an Exelon nuclear plant, plan to ask questions at the meeting and have been encouraging others to do the same, executive director John Figer said. The group will also set up a booth to help inform residents.

Mayor Will Armstrong tried to drum up attendance by encouraging residents and city leaders at the Victoria Partnership meeting on Tuesday to attend so that the protesters wouldn’t outnumber the supporters. He told them he would like to see a 5-to-1 ratio of supporters to protesters.

But the agency doesn’t answer concerns about nuclear power over another source or why Exelon would benefit Victoria, Dricks said.

“We’re not a promoter of nuclear power. We’re a regulator,” Dricks said. “Similarly, we’re not a promoter of Exelon’s expected license application. We’re going to give it a very thorough and comprehensive review.”

The commission will answer any questions the public may have about the licensing process or nuclear power, Dricks said. The agency expects questions about its role in performing the review, but also anticipates questions about storage of high-level radioactive waste, security and transportation.

“Those are straightforward questions and there are straightforward answers,” Dricks said.

About a dozen agency staff will meet one-on-one with residents during the open house between 6 and 7 p.m. at the Victoria Community Center on North Street. Afterward, staff will give a presentation on the role and function of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and will explain the review process and how the public can participate and provide comment.

Then, the floor will open to members of the public for questions, Dricks said. They can raise questions about anything, including land use or flooding.