RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Progress Energy's four
nuclear plants in the Carolinas and Florida set a record for safe, efficient,
carbon-free electricity generation in 2008.
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The company's five reactors at four sites generated more than 35.1 billion
kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2008, surpassing the previous record of 35
billion kilowatt-hours set in 2003. The total generation from the company's
nuclear plants in 2008 is equal to the annual usage of nearly 2.5 million
households. Last year, Progress Energy's nuclear plants generated 46 percent
of the energy provided to customers in the Carolinas service territory and 18
percent of the energy provided to customers in Florida.
"Along with efficiency programs and renewable energy, nuclear power
continues to be an important part of our balanced approach to meet the growing
electricity demand of homes and businesses that depend on us," said Bill
Johnson. "As our country sets energy policies to address global climate
change, advanced, carbon-free nuclear energy continues to be the best
technology available to provide reliable electricity day in and day out."
"We are committed to operating safe and secure nuclear facilities," said
Jim Scarola, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. "We take
extensive measures to ensure all of our sites are well maintained and well
protected. In fact, our safety records are among the best in the nation thanks
to the dedication and the hard work of the professionals who work at each of
our facilities."
Progress Energy operates the two-unit Brunswick Nuclear Plant located near
Southport, N.C., and single reactors at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant near
Crystal River, Fla., the Harris Nuclear Plant in New Hill, N.C. and the H.B.
Robinson Nuclear Plant near Hartsville, S.C.
Progress Energy maintains a mix of generating resources in the Carolinas
and Florida, including plants that use coal, natural gas and oil, as well as
hydroelectric power, in addition to nuclear plants. The company also purchases
energy from a variety of resources, including solar and other renewable energy
plants. Increased nuclear production means less reliance on other fuel
sources, which reduces the impact of volatile fossil fuel prices on customer
bills.
Progress Energy recently submitted a license-renewal application to the
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), seeking a 20-year operating
extension for the Crystal River Nuclear Plant. The federal agency has already
approved license renewals for the company's other three plants.
Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune
500 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and
$9 billion in annual revenues. Progress Energy includes two major electric
utilities that serve approximately 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and
Florida. The company has earned the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award,
the industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence,
and was the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates
Founder's Award for customer service. The company is pursuing a balanced
strategy for a secure energy future, which includes aggressive
energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a
state-of-the-art electricity system. Progress Energy celebrated a century of
service in 2008. Visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.
SOURCE Progress Energy