NEWS RELEASE

NEI Congratulates TVA on Browns Ferry Restart

WASHINGTON—The Tennessee Valley Authority restarted the 1,150 megawatt Browns Ferry 1 reactor in Decatur, Ala., today after a 22-year shutdown. TVA now operates six reactors in Alabama and Tennessee with a combined electric generating capacity of about 7,000 megawatts. Below is a statement from the Nuclear Energy Institute’s president and chief executive officer, Frank L. “Skip” Bowman.

“The entire nuclear industry commends TVA and its partners in this important project for successfully adding a vital energy facility to their region’s electricity infrastructure. Browns Ferry 1 will provide electricity to more than 600,000 homes and businesses in one of the fastest growing regions of the country. We believe this project will mark the beginning of nuclear energy’s rejuvenation in the United States.

“Browns Ferry 1 has the capability to economically produce electricity virtually around-the-clock. It also provides another needed clean-air energy source for the region and the nation. The now 104 nuclear power plants operating in 31 states supply more than 70 percent of all U.S. electricity that comes from sources that do not emit greenhouse gases or any of the pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act.

“This makes the restart of Browns Ferry 1 a notable addition to the diverse mix of energy sources that our nation needs to strengthen its energy security and achieve its clean-air goals. In planning to meet these important needs, TVA has proven itself a leader in the quest to achieve greater energy independence for our nation.”