AFL-CIO Affiliate to Provide Exclusive Labor for Construction of Potential
New Reactor at Constellation Energy's Calvert Cliffs Site
BALTIMORE, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UniStar Nuclear Energy,
LLC (UNE), a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy (NYSE:
CEG) and EDF Group, today applauded an agreement between Bechtel
Construction Company (Bechtel) and the Building and Construction Trades
Department of the AFL-CIO (BCTD).
Bechtel and the union announced they plan to reach an agreement by the
end of 2008 on wages and benefits for workers who would be employed to
construct a potential third reactor at a site adjacent to Constellation
Energy's Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, Md. A final decision
has yet to be made on the construction of a new reactor at Calvert Cliffs.
The agreement comes just days after the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
made public its loan guarantee implementation plan, an important prelude to
DOE issuing a solicitation for federal loan guarantee applications.
"Nuclear power, with its ability to meet our nation's increasing energy
demands without the production of harmful greenhouse gases, is a critical
component of America's future," said George Vanderheyden, president and
chief executive officer of UNE. "The Bechtel agreement is a significant
step forward in securing the skilled workforce necessary to construct a new
plant and positions UNE well for making new nuclear in this country a
reality."
Today's agreement, signed by Mark Ayers, President of BCTD, and Regi
Phelps, Vice President for Labor Relations, of Bechtel Construction
Company, commits that Bechtel and the union will work together to reach a
Project Labor Agreement for a potential new reactor at Calvert Cliffs. UNE
is poised to break ground on the site by the end of 2008, provided by that
time the project receives required approvals and loan guarantee contracts
as envisioned by the federal government under the Energy Policy Act of
2005.
"We're poised to commence early site preparation this year for the
first new nuclear plant in the U.S. in 30 years, but to be clear, we cannot
move forward without federal loan guarantees," said Michael J. Wallace,
vice chairman of Constellation Energy and chairman of UNE. "Congress and
the Administration worked collaboratively to enact legislation three years
ago, and affirmed it again last fall, to pave the way for a loan guarantee
program that Wall Street views as an absolute pre-requisite for advancing
new nuclear development. We are encouraged that DOE moved the process
forward last week with a loan guarantee implementation plan and look
forward to continued progress on this front to advance new nuclear and meet
the nation's future energy supply and security needs."
Wallace noted that continued Congressional and DOE support is necessary
to ensure timely implementation of a loan guarantee program and the
subsequent construction of new nuclear projects, along with the thousands
of new jobs associated with that construction.
"It is essential that contracts be in place by November or we face the
very real potential of significant delays, something the nation cannot
afford, and something the Administration and Congress did not intend or
envision in advancing this legislation," said Wallace.
Construction on the proposed Unit 3 at Calvert Cliffs would create
roughly 4,000 jobs for pipe fitters, welders, electricians and other
skilled union members. Other projects proposed across the country could
bring similar labor boosts to local economies. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission expects as many as 22 licensing applications for new nuclear
power plants could be submitted between 2008 and 2010.
About UNE
UniStar Nuclear Energy, a strategic joint venture between Constellation
Energy (NYSE: CEG) and EDF, is powering the nuclear renaissance in North
America through industry leadership, disciplined business practices and
effective risk-management. Based in Baltimore, Md., UniStar Nuclear Energy
provides the licensing, construction and operating services needed to
support the expansion of clean, safe and sustainable nuclear energy in the
United States.
About Constellation Energy
Constellation Energy (http://www.constellation.com), a FORTUNE 125
company with 2007 revenues of $21 billion, is the nation's largest
competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial
customers and the nation's largest wholesale power seller. Constellation
Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive
industries and utilities. It owns a diversified fleet of 78 generating
units located throughout the United States, totaling approximately 8,700
megawatts of generating capacity. The company delivers electricity and
natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its
regulated utility in Central Maryland.
About EDF Group
The EDF Group, one of the leaders in the energy market in Europe, is an
integrated energy company active in all businesses: production, transport,
distribution, energy selling and trading. The Group is the leading
electricity producer in Europe. In France, it has mainly nuclear and
hydraulic production facilities where 95% of the electricity output
involves no CO2 emissions. EDF's transport and distribution subsidiaries
operate 1,246,000 km of low and medium voltage overhead and underground
electricity lines and around 100,000 km of high and very high voltage
networks. The Group is involved in supplying energy and services to more
than 38 million customers around the world, including more than 28 million
in France. The Group generated consolidated sales of €59.6 billion in 2007,
of which 44% in Europe excluding France. EDF is listed on the Paris Stock
Exchange and is a member of the CAC 40 index.
SOURCE UniStar Nuclear Energy, LLC
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.constellation.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/084087.html/
CONTACT:
Maureen Brown or Lori A. Vidil, both of
UniStar Nuclear Energy, +1-410-470-7433
|
