RICHMOND, Va., July 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy Virginia
today announced it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from
leading SMR nuclear technology companies to evaluate the
feasibility of developing an SMR at the company's North Anna Power
Station in Louisa County,
Va.
While the RFP is not a commitment to build an SMR at North Anna,
it is an important first step in evaluating the technology and the
North Anna site to support Dominion Energy customers' future energy
needs consistent with the company's most recent Integrated Resource
Plan.
For several years, utilities, state and federal agencies and
leading technology firms have explored SMRs as the next generation
of carbon-free nuclear power in the U.S. SMRs have the same
reliability and environmental benefits as traditional nuclear, but
with a significantly smaller footprint and lower upfront capital
costs.
The company announced the news at an event today at North Anna.
Company leaders were joined at the event by Virginia Governor
Glenn Youngkin, Virginia Lieutenant
Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia
State Senator Dave Marsden, Virginia
State Senator Mark Peake and Louisa County Board of Supervisors Chair
Duane Adams, among other local and
state leaders.
"For over 50 years nuclear power has been the most reliable
workhorse of Virginia's electric fleet, generating 40% of our power
and with zero carbon emissions," said Robert M. Blue, Chair, President and CEO of
Dominion Energy. "As Virginia's need for reliable and clean power
grows, SMRs could play a pivotal role in an 'all-of-the-above'
approach to our energy future. Along with offshore wind, solar and
battery storage, SMRs have the potential to be an important part of
Virginia's growing clean energy mix."
"The Commonwealth's potential to unleash and foster a rich
energy economy is limitless," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "To meet the power demands of
the future, it is imperative we continue to explore emerging
technologies that will provide Virginians access to the reliable,
affordable and clean energy they deserve. In alignment with our
All-American, All-of-the-Above energy plan, small nuclear reactors
will play a critical role in harnessing this potential and
positioning Virginia to be a leading nuclear innovation hub."
The company also announced that it intends to seek rider
recovery of SMR development costs in a filing with the Virginia
State Corporation Commission (SCC) expected in the fall. This
important step was enabled by bipartisan legislation passed by the
Virginia General Assembly earlier this year. Governor Youngkin
ceremonially signed the legislation at today's event, where he was
joined by its chief patron Senator Marsden.
The legislation contains cost caps limiting current SMR
development cost recovery to no more than $1.40 per month for a typical residential
customer. The company anticipates that its initial request will be
substantially below that limit.
Photo and video of today's event will be available for download
here by 3 p.m.
About Dominion Energy
More than 4.5 million customers in 13 states energize their
homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion
Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The
company is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and
increasingly clean energy every day and to achieving Net Zero
emissions by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com
to learn more.
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SOURCE Dominion Energy