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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 filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a combined construction permit
and operating license, called a COLA, in October 2008. The NRC accepted, and docketed, PPL's application
in December 2008. To read the NRC's announcement, click here. Acceptance of the application is the first
milestone in the NRC review process, which is expected to take 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 has filed both parts of the application for a federal loan guarantee with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Part one was submitted in September 2008; part two was submitted in December 2008. Subsequently, the
Department of Energy informed PPL that the Bell Bend project is not included in the first tier of projects to be
considered for loan guarantees. In early 2009, the Department of Energy selected four projects for intensive
due diligence and negotiations for loan guarantees, and Bell Bend was not among the selected projects.
PPL did not expect the Bell Bend project to be selected for loan guarantee negotiations at this time
because other projects are considered to be ahead of Bell Bend in licensing, engineering, contracting
and procurement. PPL remains in the loan guarantee process so that we will be ready to move if our
ranking improves or if additional funding for loan guarantees is approved.
Without federal loan guarantees or other acceptable financing structures, companies like PPL will not be able
to secure financing for advanced-design nuclear power plants to meet future energy needs without adding to
carbon dioxide emissions.
>> 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.
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