Bellefonte Nuclear Plant

July 6, 2011
Carol Beddingfield
Executive Director

Chamber Chatter

The Bellefonte Nuclear Plant was the host site for the quarterly meeting of the Tri-State Regional Workforce Alliance meeting on June 3rd.

Mr. Ray Hruby and his staff provided an update on the completion of the plant. The cost to bring the plant on line would be significantly less than for TVA to develop a new site.

Any components that do not measure up to modern standards will be replaced. Control systems will be updated to digital and the control room will be the most advanced in the nation.

The successful restoration of Browns Ferry Unit 1 and Watts Bar Unit 1 will guide TVA in the modernization of Bellefonte to ensure safe and economical operation.

Nuclear energy is more cost efficient. Sixty-seven percent of the cost is fixed now. The clean air emission is ranked at 0%. TVA can provide lower rates and high reliability while providing public protection.

The effect that the completion of Bellefonte will have on our community will not only be seen in the power production but also in the workforce.

Three thousand well paying jobs will be created through this project. 800 of these will be permanent.

Positions will range from engineers, welders, pipe fitters, boiler makers, to general labor.

TVA has experienced a turnover of ½ of its employees in the last five years due to retirement. 25 new engineers per year will be needed to fill the required positions.

In the next 4 years 1/3 of the workforce will retire. Our young trained generation will be running the Bellefonte facility.

Training programs for these positions are available at Northeast Alabama Community College. Contact Mike Kennamer or any of the Workforce Development staff at 256-638-4418.