US First Energy moves closer to shutdown of three nuclear plants

21 August 2018


Perry nuclear plantUS FirstEnergy Solutions (FES), a subsidiary of Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp, which is going through bankruptcy proceedings, said on 15 August that it has submitted plans to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its certified fuel handler training and retraining programme. This describes the training of those who supervise and conduct removal of the company’s three nuclear plants scheduled for decommissioning.

The Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse and Perry NPPs are scheduled to close in the next three years, unless legislative policy solutions can be found to keep them operating. The single-unit Davis-Besse pressurised water reactor (PWR), and single unit Perry boiling water reactor (BWR) are in Ohio. The two-unit Beaver Valley PWR NPP is in Pennsylvania.

Both Ohio and Pennsylvania are in a deregulated electricity market, where generators compete to sell power to suppliers through competitive auctions. Nuclear facilities have to compete with low-cost gas and subsidised wind power, and many well-performing nuclear units are consequently facing closure for economic reasons.

FES has been pressing the federal government to intervene and force electricity consumers to subsidise both its nuclear plants and its ageing fleet of coal plants. However, attempts to get federal relief on the grounds that the plants were needed for the reliability of the electricity grid failed and arguments that they are vital to national defence have failed to gain much support. Earlier this year, FES said it was on track to shut down Davis-Besse in 2020, followed by the closure of Perry and the Beaver Valley plant in 2021.

"We intend to work with Ohio and Pennsylvania officials towards a solution that will enable these plants to continue contributing to cleaner air and regional energy security," said Don Moul, FES president and chief nuclear officer. "In the meantime we will move forward with the required steps towards deactivation." A solution must be reached by mid-2019, when FES needs to buy the fuel required for Davis-Besse's next refuelling or proceed with the shutdown.


Photo: Perry nuclear plant in Ohio (Credit: FES)



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