Platts - Wednesday, April 20, 2005 
http://www.platts.com

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Fire likely started by short circuit at Bruce Power plant

Ottawa (Platts)--19Apr2005

Bruce Power said this morning that a short circuit likely caused a transformer
fire that forced operators to shut down unit 6 Friday. The utility also said
that work continues on the recovery of insulating mineral oil that leaked into
the ground beneath the transformer and into the waters of Lake Huron. The
company has a spare transformer and work will begin soon to replace the
damaged one. It is still not known, however, when unit 6 will be returned to
service.

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Bush says nuclear has role in U.S. energy mix

Washington (Platts)--18Apr2005

Nuclear power needs to be part of the U.S. energy mix, President Bush said
April 16 in his weekly radio address. Repeating a theme in his January address
to Congress, Bush said it was important to "promote safe, clean nuclear
power." He urged Congress to pass an energy bill that focuses on developing
and encouraging various energy sources, including nuclear, ethanol, biodiesel,
wind, solar, landfill gas, clean coal, and hydrogen fuel cells. He also said
he wanted to sign an energy bill that would encourage the use of technology to
improve conservation, boost production in the U.S., and modernize the energy
delivery infrastructure (transmission lines and pipelines). The full House is
expected to begin debate this week on an energy bill; Senate leadership has
not laid out a schedule for starting work on its version of an energy policy.

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NRC approval of Waterford-3 uprate is largest for U.S. PWR

Washington (Platts)--15Apr2005

NRC said today it approved Entergy's request to uprate Waterford-3 by 8%, 
conditioned on the company's submittal of an amendment accounting for 
"instrument uncertainty," which the staff must review and approve. The uprate
is the largest ever for a PWR. Entergy received approval in 2002 for a 1.5%
uprate. The 8% increase raises Waterford-3's generating capacity from 3,441
MW(t) to 3,716 MW(t). NRC said the change would add about 68 MW(e).

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