NUCLEAR POWER: Safe, Reliable, Clean, Poised for Growth

Clean, safe, and reliable nuclear energy has been the workhorse of electric power generation in the United States for more than 30 years and is once again poised for growth to meet the new electrical demands of the future.

About 20 percent of the nation's electri cal requirements are being met today by 104 operating nuclear units. About 15 percent of the world's electrical needs are being met by 436 commercial nuclear units.

Because nuclear units use energy from fission to create heat and make electricity, no greenhouse gases are produced and released into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the used nuclear fuel, while radioactive, is small and stored safely and isolated securely from the environment.

Dominion has been working through new federal regulations that will lead to a new generation of nuclear units in this country. Dominion wants to ensure that this safe, proven technology will continue to play a key role in the economic well-being of the commonwealth and meet the projected demand for energy from our customers.

Today, Dominion's Surry and North Anna power stations provide more than one-third of the electricity in our service area. They have been recognized over the years as some of the lowest-cost sources of generation in the country.

At Surry Power Station in Surry County, two reactors produce enough electricity for 400,000 homes. The two reactors at North Anna Power Station in Louisa County generate enough electricity for 450,000 homes. The stations' original 40-year operating licenses have been renewed for 20 years by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and both stations will continue to provide safe, reliable electricity for Virginians through 2033 and 2040, respectively.

Conservation and renewable energy generation will play an important role as we prepare to meet the future needs of our customers. The company has partnered with The Home Depot to provide more than 3 million energy-saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs at a discount to the public. The company is investing in renewable generation projects, including wind and biomass, and new customer-friendly programs designed to save energy.

While these investments will help meet the forecasted future electrical demands of our customers, they will not be enough to close a projected 4,600-megawatt gap between supply and demand in Virginia by 2019. To close this gap, the company is building new power stations in Wise and Buckingham counties and is working through the licensing process for a possible third nuclear unit at North Anna Power Station.

Since the company began working through the federal licensing requirements for the next generation of nuclear units, it has obtained an early site permit for North Anna. This permit was issued by the NRC in November 2007 and is good for 20 years.

Dominion has also submitted a Combined Operating License (COL) application for North Anna Unit 3. This COL combines an early site permit and an NRC-certified reactor design into a license to construct and operate a new unit. Since the application was filed, the NRC has issued a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, stating that it sees no reason why the license should not be issued.

Should Dominion decide to build a new nuclear unit, the company must have approval from the NRC and authorization from the Virginia State Corporation Commission before building it.

Nuclear energy has been and will continue to be an important part of Virginia's energy equation. Dominion is demonstrating its commitment to preserve this important option for our state's future energy needs with our work on a possible new unit at North Anna.

David A. Christian is president and chief nuclear officer for Dominion. Contact him at .