- Perry’s first nuclear plant visit since becoming DOE Secretary
- FitzPatrick helps meet New York’s carbon reduction goals
- Exelon’s Crane, Rep. Katko meet Perry for energy roundtable discussion
U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry this week paid his first visit to a nuclear power plant since taking office, when he toured Exelon Generation’s James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant near Syracuse, New York.
Perry was invited to tour the facility by Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Exelon Chief Executive Officer Chris Crane. They also participated with industry executives, employees and community leaders in an energy roundtable discussion on the importance of nuclear energy.
Secretary Rick Perry and Rep. John Katko touring the control room simulator at Exelon’s FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant. [Photo: Exelon]
Secretary Perry has been a staunch supporter of nuclear energy since taking office, and has often stated his desire to “make nuclear cool again.” Among DOE’s recent policy initiatives has been a directive to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to begin requiring the markets to properly value the reliability, resilience and fuel security attributes that baseload power sources like nuclear power plants provide to the national grid. That discussion is ongoing among the industry, FERC and the regional grid operators.
Perry mentioned the role his department has been playing to preserve the existing nuclear fleet as well as to promote the development and rapid commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies. DOE has this year provided more than $150 million in funding for advanced nuclear research and development projects through several different mechanisms.
“At DOE, we’re partnering with industry to develop ways to extend the safe and economic lifespan of our nuclear fleet. And together, we’re addressing the technical challenges to bringing advanced and innovative technologies to the market,” Perry said.
Crane said he was honored to welcome Perry and Katko on their visit to FitzPatrick.
“They were able to see firsthand how we are investing in our state of the art nuclear facilities and the hardworking men and women who run them at world-class levels of safety and operational excellence,” he said.
FitzPatrick, an 838-megawatt boiling water reactor, has been in operation since July 1975. It provides zero-emissions electricity to more than 800,000 homes, employs 600 full-time plant workers and drives more than $500 million in annual economic activity. It prevents the emission of more than 3 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, accounting for 10 percent of New York’s carbon-free electricity.
In August 2016, New York became the first state to institute a Clean Energy Standard (CES) initiative, which compensates generating sources for their carbon-free attributes through zero emission credits. Shortly after the New York Public Service Commission approved the policy, Exelon agreed to purchase FitzPatrick from previous owner Entergy Corp., which had intended to close the plant. FitzPatrick’s license transfers to Exelon were completed April 2017. At the time, Crane said the CES program gave Exelon the confidence to invest in FitzPatrick and keep it running.
“In addition to providing reliable, emissions-free nuclear energy to consumers across the state, FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant is an economic driver in our region. This facility provides hundreds of skilled, well-paying jobs and is a vital part of New York State’s clean energy portfolio,” Katko noted during Perry’s visit.