Washington (Platts)--10Nov2008

Duke Energy has signed a contract with the Department of Energy for
the disposal of spent fuel generated by its proposed William States Lee III
nuclear power plant in South Carolina. Duke's contract with the department is
the first publicly announced for disposal of spent fuel from new reactors.
In a November 10 press statement, Duke Energy Chief Nuclear Officer
Dhiaa Jamil said the contract "is a vital step in supporting the timely
licensing" of the station.
DOE announced October 31 that it was ready to negotiate spent fuel
disposal contracts for new reactors. NRC cannot license a new power reactor
until the owner has entered into a spent fuel disposal contract with DOE or is
negotiating one.
Duke, which already owns and operates seven nuclear units, has
proposed building two AP1000 reactors in Cherokee County, South Carolina.