Westinghouse Avoids Billions of Metric Tons of CO2 as Fuel Facility Completes Record 100,000 Assemblies

Westinghouse Electric Company today announced that the company’s Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility completed its 100,000th nuclear fuel assembly, representing enormous savings in carbon emissions and setting a world record for pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel assembly fabrication and performance. About 10 percent of all U.S. electricity comes from Westinghouse nuclear fuel safely manufactured at its Columbia site.

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“Our world leaders have been meeting in Paris to discuss necessary carbon emission reductions at COP21 and the answers are right here in places like Columbia, S.C., where the fuel we make for the world’s safest operating fleet are saving this planet every day. The fact is that energy generated with 100,000 Westinghouse nuclear fuel assemblies avoids about 7.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions if that same amount of energy was produced with natural gas, or 12.7 billion metric tons if produced with coal,” said Danny Roderick, Westinghouse president and chief executive officer.

“We are proud of our environmental stewardship and the employees who made it happen. Since 1969, our employees in Columbia, S.C., have been creating value for customers and contributing to a healthier planet through the work they do every day. The Columbia site produces fuel and fuel-related products and services for 13 countries and has been recognized and awarded numerous occasions for its commitment to safety by the National Safety Council,” said José Emeterio Gutiérrez, Westinghouse senior vice president, Nuclear Fuel and Components Manufacturing.

Westinghouse PWR nuclear fuel has the highest performance reliability record in the U.S. with an overall 96 percent reliability rate globally through November 2015. Westinghouse is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel for PWRs, including VVER reactors; boiling water reactors; and Advanced Gas Reactors worldwide, with manufacturing locations around the world. Westinghouse also manufactures and delivers fuel-handling equipment and cranes, and large nuclear components.

Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502), is the world's pioneering nuclear energy company and is a leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to utilities throughout the world. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 in Shippingport, Pa., U.S. Today, Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants.

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Contact information

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
Sheila Holt, +1 412-374-6379
Westinghouse Communications
Email: holtsa@westinghouse.com