The recent Commission hearing regarding projected plant expansion attracts strong support and opposition. Activists, politicians and citizens lined up to speak about the proposal.
In a pair of public meetings, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission took comments on what issues should be considered in evaluating a proposed expansion of the power plant in rural Matagorda County. The two new reactors could be the first new units approved for construction in the U.S. in 30 years.
"You've heard of NIMBY — not in my backyard?" said Bay City Mayor Richard Knapik. "Well, I'm for PIMBY — please, in my backyard. What community would not welcome a $6.4 billion investment in their backyard, 4,000 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs?"
But many speakers opposed the expansion, citing among other concerns the lack of a permanent storage site for nuclear waste, the possible effects on groundwater of uranium mining in the U.S. and abroad and insufficient attention to conservation and energy efficiency as alternatives to new power plants.
"You're being given a false choice here, either two new nuclear reactors or no new jobs," said Laura Cushing, an organizer with the Southwest Workers Union from San Antonio, who spoke against the project.
Georgia Rice Herreth, a former Bay City council member, said she thought the community was better prepared to handle the challenges that might come with the building of two more reactors than it was when the first two were built.
Full Story at Houston Chronicle
Texas' first nuclear power complex, the South Texas project in Wadsworth, near Bay City, broke ground in 1976. The South Texas Project (STP) has 2 reactors.
Unit 1 has the highest output capability of any nuclear reactor in the country: 1,251 megawatts. The South Texas unit 2, has the second highest capacity: 1,250 megawatts.
STP Honored for Best Nuclear Project Worldwide
Power Engineering magazine has presented a 2007 Project of The Year Award to the STP Nuclear Operating Company for excellence in replacing the low pressure turbines in both STP units.
The publication has honored STP's turbine replacement effort as the Best Nuclear Project worldwide. |
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Contribution of Nuclear Power
As of January 1, 2005, Texas ranked 7th among the 31 States with nuclear capacity.
In 2004, the Nation set a new record for electricity generation at nuclear power plants. During 2004, the larger of Texas' two nuclear power plants was uprated in capacity, contributing to a new State record for nuclear output. For the first time, Texas generated more than 40 billion kilowatt hours. As a result, nuclear accounted for 2 percent more of the electricity supply than in either 2003 or 2002.
Like neighboring Louisiana, natural gas is the dominant fuel in the State's electricity sector. Also, like Louisiana, natural gas accounts for almost as much electricity as the 2nd ranked fuel (coal) and the 3rd ranked fuel (nuclear) combined.
Nearly 40 percent of Texas' electricity output relies on coal, and nearly all of that coal comes from captive mines (coal mines that are owned by the utilities they supply). Texas produces a low sulfur coal, an important consideration in the State's struggle to lower emissions rates. In 2002, Texas ranked highest in carbon dioxide emissions but fourth in sulfur dioxide emissions.
Texas Nuclear Highlights- The South Texas Project ranks 16th on the National Energy Information Center's list of the 100 Largest Utility Plants in the United States. Comanche Peak ranked 51st.
- The Texas Institute for the Advancement of Chemical Technology prepared a study of the potential impact of nuclear power on the chemical industry on Texas Gulf Coast. The study noted that rising gas prices had resulted in chemical plant closings. The final report, published February 28, 2005, is available on-line from the Department of Energy at www.nuclear.gov.