Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), a subsidiary of American Electric Power, has received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for the Life Cycle Management Project (LCM) at Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, Michigan. The project will enable the plant to continue to reliably and safely operate for the 20-year extension of its operating licenses.
The two units at the Cook Plant generate over 2,100 megawatts – enough energy to power approximately 1.5 million homes – and account for 40 per cent of the company’s power generation portfolio. The operating license for Cook Unit 1 was issued in 1974, with the license for Cook Unit 2 issued in 1977. I&M received license extensions from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2005 that will allow the units to run until 2034 and 2037 respectively – an additional 20 years beyond their original operating licenses.
The regulatory commission found I&M’s Life Cycle Management Project to be reasonable and necessary, and that timely recovery of costs associated with the work is appropriate.
The regulatory commission found I&M’s Life Cycle Management Project to be reasonable and necessary, and that timely recovery of costs associated with the work is appropriate.
The LCM consists of a group of projects scheduled to span six years, with the majority of work to be performed during regularly scheduled refueling outages.
The cost is expected to be about $1.169 billion. Customers will see a small increase in their monthly bills if the commission approves the rider request that I&M will file soon.
The cost is expected to be about $1.169 billion. Customers will see a small increase in their monthly bills if the commission approves the rider request that I&M will file soon.
“I&M is pleased that the IURC has recognized the value that Cook provides to our customers and has approved the plans that will enable Cook to continue to be a source of reliable, emission-free power,” said President and Chief Operating Officer for I&M, Paul Chodak III. “We look forward to moving ahead with the LCM so that the Cook Plant will be available to meet the needs of our customers.”