Exelon Nuclear's Strong 2010 Performance Reflects Commitment to Safety, Reliability, Uprates Program

WARRENVILLE, Ill., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2010, Exelon Nuclear's ten generating stations and 17 reactors in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions reached an average capacity factor of 93.9 percent, the eighth consecutive year its capacity factor exceeded 93 percent.  For the year, those operations produced slightly more than 132 million megawatt-hours of electricity, the second highest production on record.

Throughout 2010, Exelon Nuclear continued to invest in planned equipment upgrades and power uprates.  Uprate projects employ the latest digital technology, new equipment and modern production techniques as a way of adding carbon-free electricity to the electrical grid at a cost far less than the cost associated with new plant construction.  For example, uprates at the company's Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle and Quad Cities Generating Stations led to 59 megawatts of clean electricity being added to the regional grid at lower cost and with less risk.  In all, Exelon Nuclear is considering bringing 1,300 to 1,500 megawatts on line through upgrades and power uprates by 2017.

"Our goal is to operate our plants safely and reliably each day," said Mike Pacilio, Exelon Nuclear's president and chief nuclear officer.  "Our focus on safety and reliability continues to pay off as it allows us to re-invest in our operating plants through our uprates program, which, in turn, allows for more clean energy on our nation's grid without expanding our footprint."

Exelon Nuclear was recognized for its outstanding focus on safety with the 2010 National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety Award, the first time a utility has achieved the honor.  The award cited the company's "strong safety culture, which is highly visible in all aspects of Exelon Nuclear's work practices" and recognized its achievements in on-the-job safety and health programs, community service and corporate citizenship.

In addition to its 2010 safety and production achievements, Exelon Nuclear experienced milestones in several categories:

• The company's Limerick Generating Station Unit 1 set a continuous run record of 727 days.

• The Quad Cities Generating Station Unit 2 set a station continuous run record of 446 days.

• The Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Unit 2 set its own continuous run record of 691 days.

• Exelon Nuclear's Dresden Unit 1 celebrated its 50th anniversary and Unit 2 its 40th anniversary.

Exelon Corporation is one of the nation's largest electric utilities with more than $18 billion in annual revenues.  The company has one of the industry's largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.  Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.4 million customers in northern Illinois and southeastern Pennsylvania and natural gas to approximately 490,000 customers in the Philadelphia area.  Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC.

SOURCE Exelon Nuclear

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