Calvert Cliffs 3 Nuclear Project [Update 1]

The Center will provide periodic updates on the Calvert Cliffs 3 Nuclear Project, LLC and UniStar Nuclear Operating Services, LLC (Calvert Cliffs 3 or CC-3) because it is probably the most feasible project for getting the first new nuclear power plant built in the United States within the next ten years.

1) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) traveled to the site on Feb 24-25, 2009 to tour the facility, meet with applicant's staff and to examine key geological features of the site.

2) On April 17, 2009, the NRC held a Category 1 public meeting to discuss intake structure relocation, geotechnical issues and seismic analysis issues.

3) On May 8, NRC held a Category 1 public meeting to discuss the alternative siting process for the proposed CC-3 Combined License (COL) application.

In September 2005, Constellation Energy and AREVA, Inc. launched UniStar Nuclear, LLC – a joint enterprise formed to introduce the advanced design Evolutionary Power Reactor (or European Pressurized Reactor) (EPR) to the U.S. market.

In July 2007, Electricite de France (EdF) signed an agreement with the US energy company Constellation Energy to create, UniStar Nuclear Energy, a 50/50 joint-venture. This joint-venture will provide the framework to enable the joint development, deployment, ownership and operation fo nuclear power plants in the USA. EdF is currently awaiting final approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission for the purchase of 49.9% of Constellation's nuclear unit. The Center supports the acquisition and the construction of CC-3.

In 2004, ten electricity generators, including EDF, created Nustart. The objective of this company is to complete the engineering designs for new nuclear reactors, and to obtain a combined construction and operation licence for the USA. The eight companies comprising Nustart include: 1) DTE Energy, 2) Duke Energy, 3) EDF, 4) Entergy, 5) Exelon, 5) FPL Group, 6) Progress Energy, 7) SCANA Corporation, 9) Southern Company, & 10) TVA.

EDF, headquartered in Paris, is the main electricity generation and distribution company in France. EDF is one of the world's largest producers of electricity. In 2003 it produced 22% of the European Union's electricity, primarily from nuclear power: nuclear: 74.5%, hydroc: 16.2%, thermal: 9.2%, wind power and other renewable sources: 0.1%. Its 58 active nuclear reactors (in 2004) are spread out over 20 sites (nuclear power plants). Until November 19, 2004, it was a government corporation, but it is now a limited-liability corporation under private law (société anonyme). The French government partially floated shares of the company on the Paris Stock Exchange in November 2005, although it retains almost 85% ownership as of the end of 2008. (Wiki)

AREVA is headquartered in Paris, France with its U.S. headquarters located in Bethesda, Maryland. AREVA has 75,000 employees worldwide with 5,000 in the United States in 40 locations. AREVA is a French public multinational industrial conglomerate that is mainly known for nuclear power. It was created on September 3, 2001, by the merger of Framatome and Cogema (now AREVA NC). Its main shareholder is the French owned company CEA, but the German company Siemens also retains 34% of the shares of AREVA's subsidiary, AREVA NP, in charge of building the European Pressurized Reactor. The parent company is incorporated under French law as a public corporation and is also recognized as a corporation in American jurisdictions. The French State owns more than 90%. (Wiki)