STP's costs lower than nationwide average

The South Texas Project has the lowest production cost reported by nuclear power plants nationwide, at 1.356 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2006.

STP's combined operating, maintenance and fuel expenses were the lowest among plants that report those costs to federal regulators.

Of the 104 nuclear power plants nationwide, 58 reported their annual operating costs in forms filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Most of the non-reporting plants are in fleets operated by corporations. Trade publication Nucleonics Week compiled the cost data and published it Sept. 13.

In addition to having the best production cost nationwide, STP also led all 33 two-unit U.S. plants in output last year by generating 21.37 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.

That was the third consecutive year the plant was the national production leader.

STP Nuclear Operating Company President and CEO Joe Sheppard said the plant's owners have made significant investments over several years to help improve plant performance and reliability.

The plant's low pressure turbines and generator rotors were replaced, and controls on vital systems were upgraded during the last four years.

STP also has reduced its fuel costs and increased fuel efficiency through a comprehensive strategy for purchasing and utilizing fuel, Sheppard added.

"Most importantly," he said, "our employee team has a commitment to excellence that has resulted in our achieving high levels of safety, reliability and human performance."

STP supplies power to Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.

The plant is managed by the STP Nuclear Operating Company and owned by Austin Energy, CPS Energy and NRG Texas. STP's twin reactors produce 2,700 megawatts of electricity, enough for approximately two million homes.