Increasing Reliability
Currently the Mid-Atlantic region is in need of more electric power generation. Demand for electricity is rising. Energy efficiency and conservation efforts are helping, but they do not eliminate the need for new generation. In particular, the Mid-Atlantic region needs more clean, baseload generation – power that will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in rain or shine. (See PJM’s Report - PDF 2MB on Energy Supply in the Mid-Atlantic region.)
There is a demonstrated future need for additional base-load electric capacity in the region that includes the State of Maryland. The new reactor will supply 1,600 megawatts of additional electricity. That's enough to power about 1.3 million homes, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Calvert Cliffs 3 will help with the stability and the reliability of the power system in the region and will support a robust and competitive wholesale market for electric power.
The addition of a third reactor adjacent to Calvert Cliffs will expand Maryland’s nuclear energy production capacity to 3,300 megawatts, up from its current 1,700 megawatts. Increased reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region gives businesses and homes certainty that power is there when they need it.
Creating Jobs for the Local Economy
The construction of a U.S. EPR at Calvert Cliffs would create approximately 4,000 jobs 
during the construction phase and an additional 360 permanent new jobs after completion. These are high-paying jobs with good benefits and require highly trained,
skilled workers. The families of workers moving into Calvert County will add
to the local economy and strengthen
the local community.
In addition to the jobs created in Calvert Cliffs, AREVA’s facility in Lynchburg, Va., will hire hundreds of workers in order to meet the U.S. EPR demand.
To find out more about careers in the nuclear industry visit the Nuclear Energy Institute’s Career Page.
