Host Company Welcome: George Vanderheyden
Nuclear Energy Assembly
May 18-20, 2009
On behalf of UniStar Nuclear Energy and NEI, I am honored to welcome you, the global leaders of the nuclear energy industry, to the 2009 Nuclear Energy Assembly.
The nuclear energy industry continues to make strategic decisions that reflect our commitment to a cost effective, clean, safe, and reliable energy future. We are positioning ourselves to be a critical part of the global solution by meeting the growing demand for electricity while combating the impact of carbon emissions on the environment. The current construction of 35 new nuclear energy facilities in 17 countries around the world serves as evidence that we are directly contributing to a lower carbon planet.
At UniStar, we benefit from the expert knowledge and fleet operational experience of our parent companies - Constellation Energy and EDF Group. In 2008, Constellation operated its fleet of five reactors at a 95.37 percent unit capability factor. EDF’s 59th reactor, an AREVA EPR design now under construction in Flamanville, France, is providing the blueprint for Calvert Cliffs 3 – UniStar’s proposed reference facility in the United States. It now appears 4 EPRs, France, Finland and two in China, will be operating before the first United States EPR goes online in southern Maryland.
All of this is occurring against a backdrop of one of the worst economic downturns. No industry has been immune to this period of economic difficulty. However, the emergence of the nuclear renaissance creates an opportunity to invigorate the economy, train and employ a new, highly skilled workforce, and strengthen our nation’s energy security.
Alstom, our turbine-generator supplier, used UniStar’s commitment for a fleet of Arabelle turbines as the basis for re-opening and expanding its Chattanooga, Tennessee facility. This is a $200 million investment that is expected to create approximately 350 new, high-paying American jobs.
Also, in part due to our planned fleet of U.S. EPR reactors, our strategic partner and technology provider, AREVA, and its joint-venture partner, Northrop Grumman plan to break ground this summer on a new facility to build heavy components for the U.S. EPR design at the Newport News facility in Virginia, a $360 million investment that will create 500 jobs and stimulate the economy.
From the very beginning, and before it became popular, UniStar’s fleet approach to new nuclear energy was envisioned as a direct investment in the American workforce and our country’s energy infrastructure. The contribution extends well beyond the 4,000 construction jobs and 360 permanent jobs each new U.S. EPR project will create, as a result of its construction and operation.
More importantly, these investments are happening now.
Additionally, advanced new nuclear energy is the enabler that will allow the United States to make the necessary move to a low-carbon emitting energy portfolio. We can envision a time when the American Economy runs primarily on clean, non-carbon American fuel developed right here by American workers. The development of other technologies, such as more efficient solar panels and wind turbines, will take time before they become significant and reliable suppliers of energy. Therefore, nuclear energy must serve as our bridge and backstop, becoming the major source of baseload power in this country.
We are grateful for leaders in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and in particular Maryland’s congressional delegation led by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, for their support of federal loan guarantees for non-carbon emitting energy sources. We are now beginning to see the rewards of their labor. UniStar's proposed new nuclear energy facility at Calvert Cliffs has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for final due diligence and detailed negotiations leading to a conditional commitment for a portion of $18.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for advanced new nuclear projects.
It is my privilege to introduce to you a statesman who recognizes the relationship between economic development, jobs, and clean air energy. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer represents Maryland’s fifth congressional district; which includes Calvert County, the site for UniStar’s proposed Calvert Cliffs 3 project. Congressman Hoyer is a dedicated supporter of the environment. He has demonstrated his commitment to helping the nation and the state of Maryland meet our future energy needs while strengthening our economy and creating jobs in Calvert County and across the nation. We benefit greatly from his leadership in Congress and it is with great honor that I introduce to you, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.