The Harris Plant is a nuclear power plant owned and operated by Progress Energy. It is located 22 miles southwest of Raleigh, near New Hill. On a clear day, you can see the cooling tower on your left while traveling down Highway 1 below Holly Springs and Apex. The plant is named after Shearon Harris, a prominent figure within the U.S. energy industry during the 1970’s, who worked with the company from 1957 until 1980.

Originally conceived in the 1960s, the company announced in 1971 plans to file with the NRC for a construction permit to build the Harris Plant. After extensive review, a permit was issued in 1978 which allowed the company to construct a four unit nuclear power plant. However, the company revised its forecast for energy consumption and decided that one generating unit would meet demand. Completed in 1987, this unit generates power for more than 550,000 homes; and provides 12 percent of the total electricity generated by Progress Energy Carolinas.

The original license allows the Harris Plant to operate for 40 years, a term selected on the basis of economic and antitrust considerations — not technical limitations. To ensure that safe, reliable power will continue to meet electricity needs in the future, the plant is filing for a 20-year extension of its operating license. Also, in 2005 the company notified the NRC of plans to submit plans for the possible addition of a second reactor at the Harris Plant site. A decision to build has not been made finalized yet, but it might be necessary since approximately 300,000 new customers are expected to be added by 2016.

You can learn more about the Harris Plant by visiting... www.progress-energy.com/aboutenergy/powerplants/nuclearplants/harris.asp.

Anthony Williams