Under the Calvert Cliffs PLA, the unions commit to provide qualified, skilled craft workers to the Calvert Cliffs project, and Bechtel commits to provide fair wages, fringe benefits, and working conditions for all craft workers. The proposed facility will create 4,000 new jobs during peak construction and 360 permanent jobs once the new unit is operational.
"This is an historic agreement,” said Carl Rau, president of Bechtel Nuclear. “It not only benefits labor and Bechtel, it benefits the entire nuclear industry as it grows to meet the country’s increasing demand for clean energy. The success of this agreement will point the way for the construction of future nuclear energy projects.”
The agreement closely follows other major milestones associated with plans for a new nuclear energy facility at Calvert Cliffs. The proposed facility is part of an overall strategy by UniStar Nuclear Energy, LLC (UniStar) to build a standardized fleet of advanced nuclear energy facilities throughout the United States. UniStar is a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy and EDF Group, the global leader in nuclear power strategy. On May 19, UniStar announced that its proposed Calvert Cliffs 3 project was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of four projects to enter the final phase of due diligence for a portion of $18.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for advanced nuclear projects. The selection positions UniStar to move forward with detailed negotiations leading to a conditional commitment under the program. In April, a hearing examiner assigned by the Maryland Public Service Commission issued a proposed order approving UniStar’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project.
A new nuclear energy facility at Calvert Cliffs would generate 1,600 MW of carbon-emissions-free electricity, enough to power 1.3 million homes, and would bring much needed, 24/7-available power to Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region.
According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, the average operating nuclear energy facility generates $430 million in total output for the local community and nearly $40 million in local labor income. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission expects as many as 22 license applications could be submitted by 2010 to build 33 new nuclear energy facilities.
ABOUT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT, AFL-CIO
The Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO is an alliance of 13 national and international unions that collectively represent 2.5 million skilled craft workers in the U.S. and Canada.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION ALLIANCE II (NCA II)
The NCA II is a partnership between the International Union of Operating Engineers and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America representing nearly one million skilled workers who provide a 21st century voice and innovative ideas to grow union market share in the highly competitive Construction Industry.
