PPL’s Susquehanna plant: Well-positioned for a nuclear renaissance

Located in Salem Township, Luzerne County, along the Susquehanna River about seven miles northeast of Berwick, Pa., the Susquehanna nuclear power plant is a 2,360-megawatt facility with two boiling water reactors and two cooling towers.
Unit 1 began commercial operations in 1983 and Unit 2 started in 1985. The reactors operate under 40-year operating licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. PPL intends to seek renewal of these licenses, which if approved, would extend the units' operations through 2042 and 2044, respectively.

The plant is owned by PPL Susquehanna LLC, a subsidiary of PPL Generation LLC (90 percent), and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. (10 percent). PPL Susquehanna operates the plant with 1,130 full-time employees on-site and 180 in Allentown, Pa.

The power plant has been a vital part of the community and the local economy for more than 20 years. It produces electricity reliably and safely, is one of the area’s largest employers and generates millions of dollars in state and local tax revenue.

In 2006, the Susquehanna plant generated 18 million megawatt-hours of electricity, which is enough electricity to supply about 1.8 million homes. Susquehanna’s production capability represents about 5 percent of all electricity production capability in Pennsylvania and about 25 percent of the nuclear generation capability in the state. Susquehanna also has set plant records for power generated in five of the last seven years.

In April 2004, crews completed the largest improvement project in the plant's 20-year history, replacing Unit 1's four steam turbines to add 50 megawatts of generating capacity — enough to power about 50,000 homes. Workers also installed new main transformers to handle the increased electrical load and improved the efficiency of jet pumps that circulate coolant water in the reactor's fuel core. Similar upgrades were performed on Unit 2 in 2003. That phase of the project also created 50 megawatts of additional generating capacity.

PPL's Susquehanna Riverlands is a 1,200-acre nature preserve located near the plant along the west and east banks of the Susquehanna River that provides year-round outdoor enjoyment.

The Susquehanna Energy Information Center provides educational opportunities to learn more about the plant and about nuclear energy.

On March 13, 2002, Susquehanna achieved "Star" certification in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program. At the time of its recertification in June 2005, only 13 of the nation’s 103 nuclear reactors had earned VPP status.

The program recognizes companies that go beyond compliance to protect worker health and safety. The VPP Star certification is the highest safety recognition given within the program.

Renewal of Operating Licenses

PPL Susquehanna is seeking U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval to renew the operating licenses for the Susquehanna plant for an additional 20 years, through 2042 and 2044, respectively, for Units 1 and 2.

The NRC has accepted PPL’s application and has started the formal review process after confirming that the 2,000-page application provides the information needed to begin a detailed technical review. The thorough review process is expected to take two to three years.

Plan to Increase Generating Capacity

PPL Susquehanna also has filed a request with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to increase the amount of electricity its Susquehanna plant can generate. PPL believes increasing the output of an existing facility is a cost-effective way to meet the region’s need for additional electricity.

The total expected increase is 205 megawatts, which is enough electricity to supply about 160,000 homes. PPL would own 185 megawatts of that additional generation; the rest would belong to the plant’s co-owner, Allegheny Electric Cooperative.

The two reactors at the Susquehanna plant were designed and built to operate at the requested power level. On two previous occasions, PPL Susquehanna received NRC approval to increase generating capacity of the plant’s two units: by 4.5 percent in 1994-95, and by 1.4 percent in 2001-02.

The NRC will perform a thorough technical review of the application, in which PPL has provided analysis that demonstrates the plant can continue to operate safely at higher power levels.

Plan to Preserve Option to Build a Third Nuclear Unit

PPL has taken preliminary steps that would preserve the option to build a third nuclear generating unit adjacent to the Susquehanna plant. This effort is just one element of the company’s comprehensive plan to create options for future growth in its generating fleet. Those options also include the acquisition or construction of coal, hydro, natural gas and renewable energy facilities.

PPL has stated that it would not undertake nuclear construction alone. Given the market, construction and regulatory uncertainties, along with the large capital commitment for a nuclear project, the company would proceed with construction only in a joint venture arrangement.

PPL has sent a letter to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission indicating the company’s intent to submit an application for a combined construction and operating license. The letter of intent is designed to ensure that PPL has a place in the NRC’s licensing process, while also preserving the potential for federal production tax credits and federal loan guarantees.

The company believes that, given the growing concerns regarding climate change around the world and the demand for electricity, it absolutely makes sense to maintain this valuable option — for the electricity users in the mid-Atlantic region and for the shareowners of PPL.

PPL has not yet made a decision to move forward with construction. A decision on construction could take as long as four years given the lengthy application process.