FirstEnergy's Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station Receives License Renewal from Nuclear Regulatory Commission

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. FE, announced today that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved a 20-year license extension for the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor, Ohio, allowing the unit to operate until 2037. The NRC's decision to renew Davis-Besse's license comes following extensive safety and environmental reviews, public meetings and comments. The plant's original license was set to expire on April 22, 2017, and FENOC submitted a license renewal application to the NRC in 2010. Davis-Besse is the 81st nuclear reactor in the United States to receive a license extension from the NRC. Davis-Besse is capable of generating 908 megawatts, or enough electricity to power more than one million households. In addition, plant operations displace more than 7.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, approximately the same amount of carbon dioxide released by more than 1.4 million cars each year. "Today's NRC decision is another key milestone that helps ensure the continued operation of a vital baseload power plant in Ohio," said James H. Lash, executive vice president and president, FirstEnergy Generation. "The license extension secures an important source of carbon-free power for our region while providing thousands of family-sustaining jobs and significant financial support for the community." FirstEnergy has invested nearly $1 billion to help ensure continued safe and reliable operations of Davis-Besse through the period of extended operation, including the installation of a new reactor head in 2011 and two new steam generators in 2013. The plant has had power output increases totaling 25 megawatts since 2003. "This achievement is the result of making the right investments in our facilities as well as our people, who are dedicated to the safe and efficient operation of this plant," said Brian Boles, vice president of Davis-Besse. "I am very proud of our employees who have worked to ensure that the plant remains a key asset to the company that can deliver safe, reliable, clean and affordable electricity for many years to come." The Davis-Besse station is one of the largest employers and the largest taxpayer in Ottawa County. The plant employs more than 700 highly trained professionals with an annual payroll of nearly $65 million. Annual property and payroll tax payments total more than $6.3 million, supporting local schools, police and fire departments, and other vital public services. In addition, employees and the company have contributed more than $1.3 million to local charitable organizations including United Way, Harvest for Hunger and Northwest Ohio food pantries over the past five years alone. FirstEnergy Corp. is a diversified energy company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. In addition to Davis-Besse, its FENOC subsidiary also operates the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Perry, Ohio, and the Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport, Pa. Visit FENOC on the web at www.fenoc.com, and follow the nuclear plants on Twitter: @Perry_Plant, @BVPowerStation, and @DavisBesse.