New energy in nuclear power supply battle

[jpak]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun_nukejan06,0,6203019.story?coll=chi-navrailbusiness-nav

The latest nuclear race involves something other than warheads.

American utilities are moving forward on the next generation of nuclear reactors -- even before they receive government approval to build them.

They know only one company in the world that forges specialized steel containers for a reactor's core. Japan Steel Works already has a three-year backlog, and buyers include Chicago-based Exelon Corp.

Another company in line is NRG Energy Inc., which typically waits for a permit before constructing a new coal plant or gas plant. But with as many as 32 new nuclear reactors on the country's horizon, the New Jersey-based utility decided to lock in major parts orders so it would be able to build nuclear power plants in Texas.

"The risk we take by being first is less than the risk we take by being 10th," said Steve Winn, NRG's executive vice president for strategy.

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