ML041750366
| ML041750366 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Point Beach  |
| Issue date: | 06/10/2004 |
| From: | Mellowes J Charter Manufacturing Co |
| To: | NRC/ADM/DAS/RDB |
| References | |
| 69FR26624 00013 | |
| Download: ML041750366 (2) | |
Text
CHARTER MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC.
CHARTER STEEL MILWAUKEE WIRE PRODUCTS CHARTER WIRE CHARTER SPECIALlY STEEL 1 1131*/Ig PRECEIVED 2M1 SJ1`1 21 f1 8: 3 LI Rl
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June 10, 2004 Chief, Rules and Directives Branch Division of Administration Services, Office of Administration
Mailitop T-6D59 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 ATTN: Federal Registrar 5.13.04 Pg. 26624-26625
Dear Chief:
In 1978, Charter Steel was started with a rolling mill in Saukville, WI. Today this site has grown to include a steel mini-mill with melting, rolling and processing facilities for carbon and alloy steel. We are among the largest single consumers of electricity in Wisconsin and employ 515 people in Saukville. Our total electric load is approximately 70 MW, which makes us one of We Energies largest customers. We Energies represent 16% of all of our purchases. They are one of our largest suppliers.
Our concern for future steel production is making sure that reliable and affordable electricity is available for our facility. Wisconsin currently has a mix of electric generation facilities that have allowed the State to have average, if not somewhat lower prices for electricity. A large contributing factor to maintaining these prices is the Point Beach Nuclear Plant. The current trend in the electric industry is to rely more-heavily on niatural gas-firetd-plants.-We-have seen the'~
cost of natural gas for summer rise from $3.00/dth to over $6.00/dth over the last several years. Siting and constructing of new power plants is expensive and difficult. With consideration to the projected maintenance cost, usually the best investment is to maintain existing facilities.
As the demand for safe, reliable and affordable energy in our state continues to grow, nuclear power should remain an integral component of the generation mix.
We Energies have indicated that the continued operation of Point Beach will save customers approximately $474 million in today's dollars compared to other options. Currently, Point Beach contributes to our diverse energy mix by providing approximately 24% of the energy generated by We Energies. In r:5
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- MEOUON. WISCONSIN 53092-0217 2 262/243-4700
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission June 10, 2004 Page addition, the plant employs over 700 family supporting jobs, while providing significant economic benefits to the state and the local economy.
Charter Steel is a member of the Wisconsin Coalition of Energy Consumers (WCEC) and a Charter Steel representative serves as a co-chair for this group.
This group of large energy consumers has publicly supported the need to re-license Point Beach. WCEC will be a supportive intervener in the proceedings to make sure the re-licensing is done in a cost effective manner, the rate of return for We Energies is reasonable and in the best interest of-the ratepayers.
For these reasons, we support the relicensing of Point Beach Nuclear Plant.
Sincerely, J A.Mellowes Gairman/CEO JAM/abg Cc: Glen Dye Tom Glaister