Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Energy Facility Gets Final Approval.

Byline: Staff Writers

Baltimore MD (SPX) Jul 07, 2009, 2009 The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a key approval for a proposed new nuclear energy facility at Calvert Cliffs in southern Maryland, a project that would provide 1,600 megawatts of new, emissions-free electricity, stimulate the region's economy and shape a more secure energy future for the state.

The PSC issued the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) after completing a comprehensive, 18-month review that included multiple public hearings.

The application for the proposed nuclear energy facility was submitted by UniStar Nuclear Energy, a strategic joint venture of Constellation Energy and EDF Group, the global leader in nuclear power.

"The PSC approval is critical to Maryland's energy future and we applaud the commission for recognizing the vital environmental, economic and energy benefits of a third nuclear energy facility at Calvert Cliffs and the significant benefits it will create for businesses and residents across the state of Maryland," said Michael J. Wallace, vice chairman and chief operating officer of Constellation Energy and chairman of UniStar Nuclear Energy.

"It's important to also recognize that completing the proposed EDF nuclear joint venture is essential to Constellation Energy being able to work through the next set of challenges to develop this clean energy opportunity for Maryland. It is unrealistic to think that we will be able to raise the capital required for a project of this magnitude if the perception persists that Maryland's business, regulatory and political environment is hostile to such transactions. Simply put, Constellation Energy's potential investment in a new nuclear facility at Calvert Cliffs 3 and the successful close of the Constellation-EDF joint nuclear venture are inseparable."

The CPCN is required before any construction work can begin. It addresses a range of potential environmental and reliability impacts of the proposed new reactor, including air, water, wetlands, cultural and ...