Status of nuclear uprates & license extensions

All of Pennsylvania’s nuclear reactors have increased capacity through share holder funded uprates dating back to 1988 .

Power uprates increase on-site radioactive waste storage, and require millions of gallons of additional water daily. There is no permanent waste disposal facility for high level radioactive waste, and each reactor generates 30 metric tons of toxic waste annually.

Uprates require millions of gallons of additional water daily from the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers. PPL’s Extended Power Uprate - which was fully funded by shareholders - increased water consumption from the Susquehanna River from 61 to 70 million gallons per day. (NRC EIS, April, 2008)

PPL’s extended power uprate of 13% - which was fully funded by shareholders - added 463 megawatts per reactor, and increased water consumption from the Susquehanna River for 61 to 70 million gallons per day.

On October 22, 2009, Exelon met with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and detailed plans for uprates at Limerick in 2010 and 2014-2015, Peach Bottom 2011-2012 and 2013-2014, and Three Mile Island in 2013-2014. (NRC, ADAMS, ML: 092940052)

Exelon told the NRC that the Company will “perform, over 1,300 MWe of uprates over the next eight years.” Exelon also acknowledged it “installed 1,100 MWe of increased nuclear capacity through power uprates over the past 10 years.” (“Exelon: Power Uprate Project Plan,” October 22, 2009)

Sources:

Nuclear News (May, 2010)

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (June, 2010)