Basic Facts:
- Location: Richland, Washington
- Owner: Energy Northwest
- Operator: Energy Northwest
- Construction Cost: $8.4B (2018$)
- Plant Output: 1,100 MW
- Property Size: 1,100 acres
- Status: Operational
- Employees: 1,100
- Expected Shut Down Date: 2043
- Current DTF Balance: $260M (2018$)
- DTF Balance Prior to Decommissioning: $660M (2018$)
- Decommissioning Cost Estimate: $500M (2018$)
- Spent Nuclear Fuel on Site: 719 metric tons
Background
The Columbia nuclear power station consists of a single 1,100 MW boiling water reactor. Construction began in 1972 with licensed operations commencing in 1984.
In 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted Columbia a twenty-year license renewal that extended its operational life to 2043.
Socioeconomics
The Columbia nuclear power plant is located within Benton County, Washington. As of 2016, socioeconomic information is as follows:
- Population: 198,000
- Per Capita Annual Income: $46,000
- Unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted): 4.1%
The Columbia Generating Station pays approximately $14M annually in local and state taxes. The plant’s annual payroll and benefits total approximately $140M.
Contact Information
Economic Development Administration Representative:
- Jacob Marcias, Seattle Regional Office, t: (206) 220-7666, e: [email protected]
Economic Development District
University Center
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Victor Dricks, Sr. Public Affairs Officer, t: (817) 200-1128, e: [email protected]
- Columbia Generating Station
Unless specific costing information has been provided, decommissioning costs were derived from 2017 Decommissioning Funding Status Report.
Information herein obtained from public sources. Corrections are welcome and may be directed to [email protected].
Additional Information
Multiple Xe-100 SMRs planned for Washington State
Multiple Xe-100 SMRs planned for Washington StateA joint development agreement has been signed between US utility Energy Northwest and X-Energy Reactor Company for the deployment of up to 12 Xe-100 small modular reactors in central Washington State. Energy Northwest expects to bring the first Xe-100 module online by 2030.
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