ML071210163
| ML071210163 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Harris  |
| Issue date: | 04/18/2007 |
| From: | Duncan B Progress Energy Co |
| To: | NRC/ADM/DAS/RDB |
| References | |
| 72FR13139 00002 | |
| Download: ML071210163 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES f ~ NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 K3'2$£~Z~j~(U H ii~~~1~.JJ r CC)5e) 'AJs-T- C~~eE.-vie 6-o --/'/-6.A.7 -e, (.hr BOB DUNCAN NRC public meeting on Harris Plant license renewal April 18, 2007 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.Thank you for this opportunity.
I am Bob Duncan -vice president of the Harris Nuclear Plant.On May 2 of this year, the Harris Plant reaches a milestone
-20 years of commercial operation.
20 years of providing power to our customers without incident.
In our 20 years of operation, the Harris Plant has produced 130 million megawatt hours of power, enough to power over half a million homes for over 20 years.At Progress Energy, we believe a balanced solution is necessary for the future population growth. This solution includes Demand Side Management, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, clean air technologies, and new baseload nuclear power.The Harris Plant is essential to meeting the energy needs of our customers
-and we meet those needs with zero green-house gas emissions.
With the very real concerns about global warming, it is good for our customers and good for the environment to take steps NOW to ensure that the Harris Plant continues to be a clean air energy source well into the future. Renewing the plant's license will allow us to do that.A recent Bisconti research national survey determined that 85% of the public believes the US should take advantage of all low-carbon sources, including nuclear power.I agree with DOE Assistant Secretary for nuclear energy, Dennis Spurgeon, as he stated this past week, "Any serious efforts to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, while providing the increasing amounts of energy needed for economic development and growth, required the expanded use of nuclear energy." That obviously includes the retention of current capability through the license renewal process.I'm here today representing the 650 employees who work at the Harris Plant -many of whom are at this meeting today to show their support. These are highly-skilled, extensively trained professionals who are dedicated to their work. Understandably, these employees, including me, are held to a very high level of standards and expectations
-we are responsible for safely operating a nuclear reactor and that's a huge responsibility.
We come to work every day with our first priority not to simply generate electricity
-but to first make sure that we're generating electricity in a sustainable way that ensures the health and safety of the public. It is my responsibility to ensure that safety for our employees and for the community.
Safety has and always will be our priority.
In 2006, the Harris Plant received its third consecutive Institute of Nuclear Power Operations excellence award, recognizing it as a top safety performer in the entire industry.
We also have an obligation to produce power in a cost-effective way. The Harris Plant helps Progress Energy do that. We consistently rank high in the industry in this category-in 2003 and 2005, the Harris Plant was the lowest cost energy provider (dollars per MW generated) of any nuclear plant in the country. We also have a three-year capacity factor of over 93%. That means we are online an average of 340 days every year.We are privileged to provide power for the community at the Harris Plant -we take the responsibility very seriously.
It's important to clarify that -if our application is approved-that does not give us "carte blanche" to operate the plant for another 20 years. We have to earn that license every minute of every day by our performance.
We are a good neighbor and capable corporate citizen; we intend to preserve what has been entrusted to us. That's our commitment.
Thank you again for this opportunity.