|

PPL has not yet made a final decision to build the Bell Bend nuclear plant. There are several key milestones that need to be reached before a decision can be made.
NRC License PPL will file an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a combined construction permit and operating license, called a COLA, in October 2008. The NRC review process takes three to four years. Currently, the NRC is considering the Design Certification Application for the U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor, filed by AREVA in December 2007. That approval is required before the NRC can approve Bell Bend’s application.
>> Click to access the NRC website to view PPL's application for a combined license (COL)
Loan guarantee PPL filed the first part of an application for a federal loan guarantee with the U.S. Department of Energy in September 2008. The second part will be submitted by the end of 2008. A federal loan guarantee is necessary for PPL to decide to move forward with construction and operation. Expansion of the federal loan guarantee program is essential to make carbon free generation from nuclear energy in the U.S. >> Click to access the loan guarantee program website
Investors Because Bell Bend is an extremely large and capital-intensive project, PPL is looking for other companies to invest in the project. PPL does not plan to undertake nuclear construction alone.
Technology approval Certification of the reactor design chosen for Bell Bend, AREVA’s Evolutionary Power Reactor, is currently under review by the NRC.
|