Progress Energy stated that nuclear power is one of the three components of its balanced solution strategy, which also includes the use of renewable energy sources and an emphasis on energy efficiency.
The Harris plant is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Raleigh in western Wake County. The company has not yet made a final decision on whether to build and does not expect to make that decision for another year or more.
The filing will help ensure that nuclear energy remains a viable resource option for the company in the future, if and when the decision is made to build a new plant.
Bill Johnson, Progress Energy’s chairman and CEO, said: As our region and its demand for electricity grows, energy conservation and efficiency programs and the development of renewable energy sources are essential, but we must also evaluate investments in advanced nuclear reactors as a way to continue to provide reliable, environmentally sound power to meet our region’s growing demands for electricity.
