NRC grants Clinton and Dresden license renewals
Three commercial power reactors across two Illinois nuclear power plants—Constellation’s Clinton and Dresden—have had their licenses renewed for 20 more years by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
For the newer Clinton, a 1092-MWe boiling water reactor that entered commercial operation in 1987, the NRC has granted an initial license renewal, allowing the plant to run through 2047. Dresden’s two approximately 920-MWe BWR units (which came on line in 1970 and 1971) were granted subsequent license renewals, allowing them to operate through 2049 and 2051.
Investment details: Alongside these license renewal announcements, Constellation also detailed its ongoing investment of more than $370 million in work involved in the plants’ relicensing.
At Clinton, part of that money has been spent on two new auxiliary transformers and two equipment chillers. Upgrades were also made to the plant’s condensate polisher system to increase protection from component degradation.
At Dresden, a new main power transformer, which Constellation says will deliver state-of-the-art electrical system monitoring and control, has been purchased. The company has also upgraded the plant’s feedwater level control technology.
Quotable: Sean McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Union, said about the renewals, ”Constellation is ensuring decades of good union jobs while delivering reliable, carbon-free power. Our highly skilled members are proud to operate and maintain these plants safely every day. NABTU, the IBEW, and all our affiliates value this long-term commitment, which demonstrates the success of labor and industry working together effectively to deliver the energy solutions our nation needs.”
More context: While these renewals are a critical piece in the future of Clinton and Dresden, they do not alone ensure that the plants will continue operating through the next decades. As Constellation’s press release puts it, “actual operation is contingent on each plant’s financial viability.”
At Clinton, that viability (which was once uncertain) has been significantly bolstered by Constellation’s signing of a 20-year power purchase agreement with Meta. Originally slated for closure in 2017, Clinton will now support Meta’s artificial intelligence goals and data center operations in the Midwest.
As for the future of Dresden, Nancy Norton, president and CEO of Grundy County Economic Development Council, said the plant currently “plays a vital role in keeping our communities and the businesses that depend on them moving forward.” She added that Dresden will be a key asset “as new industries look to invest and expand in Grundy County.”
