Smart Energy Solutions In the News

SOLOMONS, Md. (WJZ) ― Public hearings begin Monday on building the first nuclear power plant in the country in 30 years, and the site is right here in Maryland.

Alex DeMetrick reports before ground is broken on a new reactor for Calvert Cliffs, those for and against get to have their say.

Two reactors have been on line for decades at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant.  Constellation Energy is actively pursuing plans to build a third.

"What we're talking about here is a site at Calvert Cliffs that is already perfectly suited for an additional nuclear power plant," said Rob Gould, Constellation spokesperson.

But before anything more is built, state regulators must permit it, and that won't happen until the public has had its say.

The Maryland Public Interest Research Group plans on speaking up at the first hearing Monday night.

"We looked at safety, we looked at reliability of the grids, we looked at affordability for customers and energy efficiency, and clean power wins hands down," said Johanna Neumann, MaryPIRG.

That's what Governor Martin O'Malley thinks too. But after a tour of the plant this past spring, he sees a new reactor as part of that solution.

The last time nuclear power came into such focus was after the 9-11 attacks.  The worry wasn't just dust from an attack. In 2001, in towns near the plant, there was worry about radiation being released.

Constellation could build the first new reactor in 30 years if it wins state approval in December.

The first public hearing will be held Monday night in the Southern Maryland town of Solomons Island.  Two more will follow in the weeks to come.