Answers to questions about Exelon plant
Print- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
4 Comments
- •
Favorite- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
As the community outreach manager-Texas for Exelon, I am proud to call Victoria my new home and I am glad to answer the questions raised in a recent letter.
During construction, more than 2,000 skilled and professional workers would be hired, and afterward, 700-800 people would work at the plant.
No single energy company is large enough to finance a nuclear plant costing billions of dollars without federal loan guarantees. The government has offered various incentives for nuclear power companies to build in the U.S.—as it has to all producers of energy. In fact, when compared to wind, solar and coal, nuclear energy is the least subsidized energy source in the United States.
Adding more nuclear to Texas’ generation mix should mediate the cost of electricity.
Siting a nuclear facility is a meticulous balance of art and science. Thousands of hours of study go into the selection process, which is stringently mandated by federal law. Among other critical factors, water must be demonstrably plentiful. The Victoria County location satisfies all mandated requirements and more. Hundreds of well-paid employees of the plant, if it’s built, will have the opportunity to live in beautiful Victoria—an enormous added benefit of the chosen site.
Yucca Mountain in Nevada has been chosen by the federal government as the ideal location for a permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel, but it may be years before Yucca Mountain is approved by Congress and constructed. Until that time, spent fuel is stored safely on-site at the nation’s 104 nuclear stations. Used nuclear fuel consists of ceramic pellets encased in metal tubes. The fuel cannot explode, and the massive containers in which it is transported can protect public health and the environment even if subjected to the highest temperatures seen in transportation accidents involving chemicals or other flammable materials. After extensive studies, both the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Academy of Sciences concluded that used nuclear fuel can be transported safely, and the nuclear energy industry has completed more than 3,000 shipments of used nuclear fuel over 1.7 million miles of U.S. highways and railroads without a single incident.
After decades of production of clean energy, it may become time to decommission a plant. Taking nuclear sites back to green field is part of the license to build and operate and is the responsibility of the operator.
In 2007, the electricity production cost for nuclear energy was 1.76 cents per kilowatt-hour, while coal was 2.47 cents per kWh, natural gas was 6.78 cents per kWh and oil was 10.26 cents per kWh. Proceeding with a large project would not be considered if the cost-benefit ratio was not favorable.
Each year, the average nuclear unit generates approximately $430 million in sales of goods and services and nearly $40 million in total labor income.
The initial license period of 40 years can be renewed for an additional 20. This means that operators have incentives to keep their plants in top operating shape and maintain safety margins. It also means that several generations of Victoria residents can look forward to economic benefits and well paying jobs right in their community.
To the many people who’ve welcomed both Exelon and my family to this lovely community, thank you. To the folks who have questions about our plans, please know that I am committed to answering all of them. Call me at 361-578-2705 or e-mail me at williamp.harris@exeloncorp.com and I will do my best to address every issue you may wish to raise.
Bill Harris is the Exelon representative in Victoria. His office is at 114 N. Main St.
-
Print
- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
4 Comments
- •
- Favorite
- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
Comments
Folks simply donÂ’t know the difference between possibility and probability.
As I stated before, it is possible for you to get shot in the head at the Victoria Mall any day of the week, yet you will go shopping there without a thought, because it is not probable an event like that will occur.
Chernobyl, Cheap Russian Technology, did not have any of the safeguards of the plants used in America!!! How much damage was done to the Community near 3 mile island?
July 31, 2008 at 11:52 a.m.Get a Grip People. Henry Ford had much of the same problem, fear of what we do not understand. Look at us today, we all ride in those machinesÂ…..
Perhaps the power plant would hire locals if they were properly educated. Recruiting from all over the nation is required to fill those vacancies. And for years the attitude of Bay City was "stay out" to those new comers and they moved to surrounding communities where they were welcome.
I share your concerns related to safety and long term effects of the accidents you cite. To my knowledge, STNP has zero events such as these, despite the number of mistakes that have happened there.
No doubt the technology of Nukes has improved greatly since the 70's and 80's. To compare them is not unlike comparing a Model T to a Toyota Prius.
July 31, 2008 at 9:43 a.m.I started this once then realized that I remembered only parts of the stories regarding Chernobyl and Three Mile Island both nuclear plant disasters. I left to read about it. If one believes that the solution to electrical power is the nuclear plant one must read the postings regarding Chernobyl's aftermath especially those on UNICEF.
July 31, 2008 at 9:32 a.m.This article tells glowing stories of economic growth and jobs. I say look at Bay City. Do local people get hired in the plant, a few at low paying unskilled jobs. Most jobs are for professionals not for locals and they are recruited across the country.
If my children have the potential of suffering as the children of Chernobyl are suffering today 20 years after the horrific accident, I don't think a job today is worth the possibilities of suffering and destruction tomorrow.
They say that these plants are the safest in the world; however, I have not heard of a fool proof plant of any kind. Our area already houses too many dangerous plants. I believe, however, that damage from them would be short lived and not extend into 100s of years while the area waits out the half life of radioactive poisons in the water, vegetation, and earth while we deal with cancer ridden children and mutations at birth. The damage from Chernobyl is not an Urban Legend. It is a fact. People reading this man's glowing reports should consider that it is his bread and butter. For us this is our home, our land, our water, and our vegetation. This gentleman will move on most likely once the plant is accepted to another area where his job will be to soothe the "natives" and keep them (us) from stopping what could be an economic boon especially for Exelon, but which carries a horrific potential to the future of our homes and lands.