RICHLAND, WASH. - Energy Northwest, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) have joined together to save ratepayers approximately $7M in restoration costs at two unfinished nuclear power plants. The sites, known as WNP-1 and WNP-4 are located approximately 10 miles north of here, adjacent to Columbia Generating Station, the region’s only operating nuclear power plant.
The savings will come from several changes to an existing site restoration plan put in place on Dec.15, 2003. The changes, proposed by Energy Northwest project managers, were approved by EFSEC at a Dec. 29, 2004 meeting. The new plan preserves two large commercial buildings that the utility can lease out. Under the original plan those buildings would have been partially demolished and left unusable.
The new plan will also speed the restoration process. The majority of the site’s buildings are now slated for restoration in 2005 rather than 2026 as envisioned in the original plan. “Our primary
interest in this effort is to ensure the restoration is done in a timely and environmentally sensitive manner,” said former EFSEC Chairman Jim Luce. “Getting most of the site restoration done years earlier at lower cost is the responsible approach.”
The site work will be funded by BPA under their existing commitment to cover costs associated with restoration of the nuclear power projects. The initial restoration plan for the WNP-1 and WNP-4 sites was projected to cost approximately $45M and be completed by 2026. The updated plan spends an additional $1.16M in 2005, but creates savings in follow-on years totaling approximately $7M.
Andy Rapacz, Manager of BPA’s Richland, Wash. Office, described BPA’s interest in the improved restoration effort saying, “BPA and Energy Northwest have been working to minimize the cost of restoring the sites and reduce the cost of power for ratepayers. Energy Northwest is to be commended for their success in finding cost effective alternative approaches to site restoration.” All three organizations have joined forces to ensure the restoration is done at minimal cost, but done properly, according to Energy Northwest Industrial Manager Doug Culver. He said EFSEC’s expertise and BPA’s support are essential to the effort. “Cooperation among the agencies has been excellent. The updated plan gets most of the job done sooner, at lower cost and leaves us with two very large industrial-grade buildings. Leasing out those buildings helps us further reduce costs and ultimately save ratepayers money,” he concluded.
EFSEC Compliance Manager Mike Mills said the proposal makes good sense for the environment and the ratepayers. “It is one of those relatively rare opportunities when doing what is best for the restoration effort also happens to be less costly and more timely than the original plan. We’re enjoying the productive working relationship among all the parties involved,” he said. Under the planned timeline, Energy Northwest will have the two commercial buildings available for lease in early 2006.