ML072680210

Amergen/Exelon Sponsors Artificial Reef Installation in Barnegat Bay

ML072680210
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	06/13/2006
From:	AmerGen Energy Co
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2130-07-20506, TAC MC7624
Download: ML072680210 (1)

Text

News Release An Exelon Company

Contact:

Rachelle Benson FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oyster Creek Generating Station (609) 971-2185 TEL (609) 709-9269 CELL AmerGen/Exelon Sponsors Artificial Reef Installation In Barnegat Bay FORKED RIVER, N.J. (June 13, 2006) - AmerGen Energy Company today sponsored the installation of a 46-acre artificial reef in the Barnegat Inlet. The reef was funded by an $80,000 donation from Exelon, the parent company of AmerGen and Oyster Creek Generating Station.

Approximately 1,200 tons of concrete castings consisting of structures such as junction boxes and large diameter pipe were deployed today at six locations within the Barnegat Light Reef. The reef is located 3.5 nautical miles offshore of Barnegat Lighthouse.

In November 2005, Exelon Nuclear donated $80,000 to the "Sport Fish Fund," a not-for-profit organization that administers the reef-building fund. The Sport Fish Fund works closely with the.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife as the permit holder for all of New Jersey's artificial reef sites.

When Oyster Creek made the donation to the Sport Fish Fund, Exelon chairman, president and chief executive officer John Rowe said, "Exelon relies on the waters of the Barnegat Bay to produce clean, safe and reliable energy for New Jersey. The waters off the New Jersey shore are an important natural resource and economic asset to the region, and we are pleased to help build this resource and ensure its long-term viability."

Artificial reefs enhance the marine environment. These structures are durable and stable on the sea floor and provide excellent substrate for marine life colonization. The reef will provide a productive habitat for marine life and also provide opportunities for some great fishing. One in five fish caught by saltwater anglers along the Jersey shore are caught on an artificial reef.

"We appreciate this opportunity to work with the NJDEP to improve Ocean County's marine environment," said Tim Rausch, Oyster Creek Vice President. "We have a responsibility to give back to the communities we serve and we will continue to work with local and state organizations to ensure that our outreach is directed to the right causes."

AmerGen Energy LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon GenerationLLC, a unit of Exelon Cotporation.Exelon Corporationis one of the nation 's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.2 million customers and more than $14 billion in annual revenues. The company has one of the industry's largestportfolios of electricit, generationcapacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Exelon distributeselectricity to approximatelyj 5.2 million customers in northern Illinois and Pennsylvania and naturalgas to more than 470,000 customers in the Philadelphiaarea. Exelon is headquarteredin Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC.