Nuclear plant project clears another hurdle
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

Duke Energy officials got the news Wednesday they had been waiting to hear when the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved their application for a nuclear power station in Cherokee County for the next stage of review.

Duke had submitted its 8,000-page combined construction and operating license application for the William States Lee III nuclear power station to the NRC in December.

The NRC will publish its review schedule within 30 days.

The detailed review will include submission of additional information, site visits and public input as the NRC prepares an environmental statement and safety evaluation report.

"Our nuclear development project team spent more than 21 months working on this application to ensure quality information was provided for both the safety and environmental aspects of the project," said Bryan Dolan, Duke Energy's vice president of nuclear plant development.

Duke's application seeks to construct a two-unit nuclear plant on a 2,000-acre site in the McKowns Mountain community.

The proposed plant would have a combined power generating capacity of 2,234 megawatts.

Rita Sipe, Duke Energy spokesperson, said the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission estimates it will take at least 42 months to review the construction and operating license application.

A final decision to build the nuclear station won't be made before 2010, Duke Energy officials have said.

Duke Energy is continuing demolition work to remove old structures located on the 2,000-acre property, according to Sipe.

"The steel will be recycled and much of the concrete debris will stay on site as backfill for future buildings," she said.

The utility's real estate department is working with property owners to secure the rail spur that will be needed once the project is approved, Sipe said.