TXU Corp. announced this week that it plans to develop applications to file with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for combined Construction and Operating Licenses (COLs) for two to six gigawatts of new nuclear-fueled power generation capacity at one to three sites. TXU expects to submit the COL applications in 2008, which would facilitate bringing the new capacity on line between 2015 and 2020. The company says that, combined with its previously announced 9.1 GW of coal power generation capacity that is expected to be on line by 2010, the nuclear power generation capacity would allow it to continue to deliver the dependable energy supply, low prices and cleaner environment its Texas consumers demand.
???While new nuclear generation cannot come on line in time to meet the growing power needs of Texas for the next 10 years, TXU continues to aspire to be a leader in the commercialization of the next generation of low-cost, clean technology,??? said C. John Wilder, TXU Corp. chairman and CEO. ???Nuclear generation offers the potential to deliver our customers lower, stable prices and continue to reduce Texas??? over-reliance on natural gas. Based on top decile performance at our Comanche Peak nuclear power facility and strong knowledge of the Texas market and customers, TXU is uniquely positioned to commercialize this technology in Texas.???
TXU Power???s Comanche Peak is an industry leader in nuclear operations and is a recipient of the ???Clean Texas, Cleaner World ??? National Leader Award??? from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts above and beyond compliance in environmental excellence and overall environmental stewardship.
As part of TXU's partnership plans for the initiative, the company has had preliminary discussions with the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of San Antonio???s CPS Energy, and will invite other electric cooperatives and municipalities to participate.
