U.S. Nuclear Plants
Columbia
Generating Station Washington
Unit 2 General Electric Corporation |
Capacity Net MW(e) |
Generation in 2003 Megwatthours |
Capacity Factor |
Type |
On-line Date |
License Expiration Date |
1,108 |
7,614,708 |
78.2
% |
BWR |
April 13, 1984 |
Dec. 20, 2023 |
BWR= Boiling
Water Reactor
Description: The Columbia Generating
Station covers 1,089 acres of Benton County.
Construction delays and cost over-runs for this reactor drew considerable
public and media attention. Construction began in 1972, but more than
a decade passed before it began generating power. With it’s troubled
history behind it, however, the reactor has performed very well. Of the
5 commercial reactors originally planned for the State of Washington,
this reactor was the only one completed. Designated WNP-2 by its original
owners, Washington Nuclear Power System, its new owners changed the name.
Ownership: Energy
Northwest is the owner and
operator of the Columbia Generating Station.
The Impact of
the Nuclear Industry on Washington:
- News items:
- Highlights
- Nuclear-provided Electricity Generation
- Competition in the State Electricity Market
- Environmental Trends: Emissions levels
- Various Links to related sites.
Sources: Capacity, for purposes of this report, is the net
summer capability as reported in Energy Information Administration (EIA) survey
form 860, "Annual Electric Generator Report." Capacity Factor is a
calculation in which the maximum possible generation (based on net summer
capability) is divided into the actual generation than multiplied by 100 to get
a percentage. Generation is the electricity output reported by plant owners on
EIA survey form 902. Type of Unit: All U.S. commercial reactors currently in
operation are one of two types: BWR (boiling water reactor) or PWR (pressurized
light water reactor). The type is identified in EIA's Nuclear Power
Generation and Fuel Cycle Report. Both the On-line Date and the License
Expiration Date are reported annually in Information Digest by the U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
Contact:
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