The 40-year time period was selected for financial and not technological reasons. So far, only one nuclear plant, the Calvert Cliffs Power Station, has applied for a 20 year extension of their license. The licenses for the Surry Plant will expire in 2012 for their first generator and in 2013 for their second generator. Virginia Power plans to apply for relicensing of the Surry Power Plant in 2002 and 2003. Due to an emphasis on safety, employees of Surry Power Station spend one-fifth of their time in training.
Nuclear fuel comes from the ground.
It is uranium powder mined in much the same manner as coal is and then pressed into a little pellet with other chemicals. Nuclear waste at Surry is stored underwater in spent fuel pools or in large dry storage containers. Photo of dry storage containers. The company's electric rates are below national averages. By using power stations that utilize different fuels or energy sources, Dominion Virginia Power enhances the reliability of its system.