ML050900234

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Comment (55) of Donald W. Downes Supporting Millstone Power Station Application for Renewed Operating License
ML050900234
Person / Time
Site: Millstone  Dominion icon.png
Issue date: 03/07/2005
From: Downes D
State of CT, Dept of Public Utility Control
To: Diaz N
NRC/Chairman
References
69FR71437 00055
Download: ML050900234 (2)


Text

STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTENTE OF.PUBUrC U7LY7 CONTROL DONALD W. DOWWES a/>/o5 Nils J. Diaz Gn /3 Chairman

  • U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 3i33-Washington, DC 20555-0001 RE: Millstone Powr Qhntion Application for.Renewed .Operating License.. _._. .

Dear Chairman Diaz The Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (Department) submits this letter in support of the Application for Renewed Operating License for Millstone Power Station, located in Waterford, Connecticut. Millstone Power Station consists of Unit 2 and Unit

3. Unit 2 is solely owned and operated by Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc, (Dominion) and Unit 3 is jointly;:owned -by-Dominion, Central rVermont.Public Service Corporati6n and Massachu'ssett'sM'Ni6iial ,Wh6lesale:Ele'tricT iorn pany.-"Dominion is the.operato` of: Unit 3 and authrizied.t6 act as: gnt.f6 the: joirit 6wners. ' Dominion is seeking renewal of the operating licensefor a period of 20 years beyond the expiration date of the current operating license for both units (Unit 2 current expiration date is July 31, 2015; Unit 3 current expiration date is November 25, 2025). This letter is in support of both applications for the units, collectively referred to herein as Millstone.

The Department believes.that Dominion is one bf.the best nuclear plant operators in the country-and that it has demonstrated an excellent history of nuclear plant operation and safety. The Department would like to offer two additional reasons for granting Millstone's request.

First, from a regional and Connecticut energy needs point of view, Millstone has been an essential resource for the existing bulk power system. This essential resource need is expected to continue as such into the future., It is for this reason that Millstone's license extension is important to continue t6 serve New England and Connecticut energy needs.:.The Independent System Operator for the New England bulk power supply system.(ISO-NE) publishes an annual regional system plan meant to identify system: needs that.can impact rebional users and identify system solutions that will benefitthei.entirel.region;. It's m6st.receht anhilual report,:dated January 4,-2005,.states thti..s'iserious bul p'inConnebticut that pose risks ot ony fd elal-elet'ri~cse'rvice-in t'e.st'ate, buit.also-ini the-entire N4ew lEngland iregion Ener Pla'n Firamework.:2005'ISO'New;Englanc,;page5"'

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The ISO-NE annual report states that New England could face a capacity shortage if there is high demand for electricity beginning in 2006 and continuing into the future. Id.,

page 6. Possible means of resolving this looming problem includes, inter alia, additional generation. Accordingly, the Department is greatly concerned that existing, reliable, safe, high capacity factor units.such as Millstone be allowed to continue and extend operation. This is especially true given the high demand for fossil fuels upon which most new generation is based. Keeping Millstone operational greatly adds to the diversity of fuel supply in Connecticut and the region.

Second, on August 28, 2001 Connecticut and the New England region committed to a Climate Change Action Plan. The goal of.this plan is to mitigate the release of greenhouse gases that are emitte dby-the-combustion-of.fossilJuels.-As.is.wellknown, the greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power plants are negligible. Continued operation of Millstone past its present license expiration dates will displace fossil generation, helping the region to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. Extension of the licenses for the Millstone units is very important to meeting this goal.

The Department urges the Commission to consider the above factors in reviewing the request for the Millstone license extension.

Sincerely, Donald W. 6 5nes Chairman Public Utilities Control Commission

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