FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2008
CONTACT: Matt Mackowiak
Sen. Hutchison Delivers Remarks at South Texas Project Nuclear Training Facility
Continues Three Day, 600 Mile Bus Tour to Meet with Gulf Coast Texans
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R–TX), Texas’ senior senator, today toured the South Texas Project (STP) Nuclear Operating Center and delivered remarks to STP executives, local elected officials, and members of the community.
“America is on the verge of a nuclear renaissance and Texas is poised to play a central role,” said Sen. Hutchison. “It is exciting to see firsthand the plans for the first new nuclear reactors in nearly 30 years. I commend everyone at the South Texas Project for their leadership, and look forward to all they’ll do for the state of Texas over the next decade.”
At the event, Sen. Hutchison delivered remarks and toured the Nuclear Training Facility Simulator. She was briefed on operations at STP, as well as plans for two new reactors. Nearly 50 people attended the event, including Bay City Mayor Richard Knapik, Port of Bay City Authority Chairman Mike Griffith and Palacios Mayor Joe Morton.
The South Texas Project Electric Generating Station is one of the newest and largest nuclear power plants in the country. STP's two reactors produce 2,700 megawatts of electricity, enough for more than one million homes and businesses in south central Texas. The plant is an industry leader in safety, reliability and efficiency. In just the last three years, STP has achieved the lowest fuel cost of all power plants in the U.S.
The South Texas Project has plans to build two new reactors that are scheduled to come on line in 2015 and 2016. These two new reactors will provide an additional 2,700 megawatts of base-load electricity, which is enough to power almost 2.1 million Texas homes.
In July, Sen. Hutchison sent a letter to Energy Secretary Sam Bodman, urging the U.S. Department of Energy to swiftly approve the loan guarantee application for the new STP reactors.
Today is the second day of Sen. Hutchison’s three day, 600 mile bus tour with 16 stops throughout South Texas and the Gulf Coast. Sen. Hutchison launched the tour on Monday in Harlingen and will bring the trip to a close with an event at the San Jacinto Memorial in LaPorte on Wednesday.
Sen. Hutchison is a member of the Senate Republican Leadership as Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
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