With preliminary plans in the works for a new nuclear power reactor in Oswego, officials from Constellation Energy and UniStar Nuclear are seeking public input. 

 
Local residents will have the opportunity to weigh-in on the issue at a public meeting to be held today at Sheldon Hall from 7-9:30 p.m., hosted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The project is a joint effort between Constellation Energy and UniStar Nuclear Energy. The companies encourage members of the community to attend the meeting and if desired, offer a statement of support. 

Site characterization work began in 2007 to determine whether or not the proposed site would be suitable for the construction of a new nuclear power plant. The results returned so far have been favorable for constructing a new facility at Nine Mile Point. Additional studies are under way to assess the impact a new plant would have on vegetation, wildlife, noise and wetlands surrounding the site as well as its affect on traffic, cultural and socioeconomic factors in the community.

Jill Lyon, senior communications consultant for Constellation Energy, said Constellation and UniStar are pursuing a combined license application, which would allow Constellation tion and UniStar to construct and operate a new reactor facility. The application will be submitted by Sept. 30 of this year and the application process can take anywhere from 36 to 42 months to complete.  However, no definite decision has been made yet as both companies are in the process of evaluating four potential sites.

Constellation Energy projects that a new nuclear power facility at Nine Mile Point would provide roughly 4,000 construction jobs and 400 permanent positions. Constellation and UniStar have already partnered together to build a new reactor facility at Culvert Cliffs, Md.
Lyon said that the existing units based at Nine Mile Point “made it a likely site to explore further, provided it met Constellation’s expectations of safety, cost, regulatory stability and community support. We’ve enjoyed a strong level of support for our two units and take our role as a member of the community seriously.”

With the current economy and national, state and local officials and companies seeking additional sources of energy, Lyon noted that a new nuclear power facility would ensure that New York has the necessary power required for its future. “Nuclear power is becoming an essential component of a diverse mix of renewable energy projects,” she said, noting that there are several companies nationwide expressing interest in constructing nuclear energy facilities. Recently, approximately 30 new applications have been filed with the NRC, Lyon said.

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station is one of the largest employers in Oswego County, providing 900 jobs with a payroll of $96 million in 2007 and a local tax base of more than $25 million in revenue to the town of Scriba, Oswego County and the Oswego City School District.
Lyon urges the community to attend tonight’s public comment session and said that community support is an important factor in the process.

“We wouldn’t want to build somewhere where we’re clearly not wanted, but it’s hard to give a definite weight to (the public’s input) in light of other factors such as cost and regulatory and workforce stability,” she said.