NRG's Texas nuclear license passes first hurdle

HOUSTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - NRG Energy Inc (NRG.N) said its application to build the first new nuclear reactor in the United States in nearly three decades passed an initial regulatory hurdle this week.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted NRG's combined license application for two new 1,350-megawatt reactors proposed for the South Texas Project site near Bay City, 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Houston.

"The clock has officially started," said NRG Chief Executive David Crane, in a statement.

Crane said NRG's proposal, expected to cost at least $6 billion, offers carbon-free, affordable nuclear generation than can "move the needle in the fight against global warming."

Princeton, New Jersey-based NRG wants to be one of the first companies to obtain a new reactor permit to take advantage of financial incentives offered in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

NRG owns a 44 percent stake in the existing STP plant. CPS Energy, the municipal utility serving San Antonio, owns 40 percent of STP, and will partner with NRG in the expansion.

"We have what we need to open a file, or 'docket,' on this application, and we'll start analyzing those pieces that have enough detail to review properly," said Bill Borchardt, director of the NRC's Office of New Reactors.

The agency said it seeks additional information on certain subjects before establishing a review schedule for the application which was submitted Sept. 24.

It was the first combined construction and operating license application the NRC has accepted for review. The agency expects applications for more than 30 new reactors in the coming years.