Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

June 12, 2009

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

Commission File

Number

  

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter;

State of Incorporation; Address of Principal Executive

Offices; and Telephone Number

  

IRS Employer

Identification Number

1-16169

  

EXELON CORPORATION

(a Pennsylvania corporation)

10 South Dearborn Street

P.O. Box 805379

Chicago, Illinois 60680-5379

(312) 394-7398

   23-2990190

333-85496

  

EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC

(a Pennsylvania limited liability company)

300 Exelon Way

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348-2473

(610) 765-5959

   23-3064219

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Section 7 – Regulation FD

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On June 12, 2009 Exelon Corporation (Exelon) announced planned power uprates across its nuclear fleet. A copy of the press release and related presentations slides are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1   Press release
99.2   Presentation slides

* * * * *

This combined Form 8-K is being furnished separately by Exelon and Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Registrants). Information contained herein relating to any individual Registrant has been furnished by such Registrant on its own behalf. No Registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other Registrant.

This Current Report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include Exelon’s ability to achieve the full additional capacity contemplated by the proposed uprates, the availability of required components and raw materials, and the timing to complete the proposed uprates and obtain required regulatory approvals as well as those discussed in (1) Exelon’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K in (a) ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (b) ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (c) ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Note 18; (2) Exelon’s First Quarter 2009 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in (a) Part II, Other Information, ITEM 1A. Risk Factors and (b) Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements: Note 13; and (3) other factors discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrants. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Current Report. None of the Registrants undertakes any obligation to publicly release any revision to its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Current Report.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

EXELON CORPORATION

EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC

/s/    Matthew F. Hilzinger

Matthew F. Hilzinger

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exelon Corporation

June 12, 2009


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1   Press release
99.2   Presentation slides
Press release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

 

Contact:   

Marshall Murphy

Exelon Nuclear Communications

630-657-4206

Successful Power Uprate at One Exelon Plant

Begins Eight-Year Expansion Equal to a New Nuclear Station

Chicago, IL (June 12, 2009) – An approximate 38-megawatt increase in output at an Exelon Nuclear plant last week launched a series of planned power uprates across the company’s nuclear fleet that will generate between 1,300 and 1,500 megawatts of additional generation capacity within eight years without turning a spade of earth, Exelon Nuclear President and Chief Nuclear Officer Charles (Chip) Pardee said today.

The first of the new, carbon-free nuclear megawatts was officially confirmed last week following equipment upgrades at Exelon’s Quad Cities nuclear plant near Cordova, Ill. Other uprate projects are underway and Exelon plans to have the full measure of new megawatts on the grid by 2017.

“With these uprates, we will be able to produce the equivalent output of a new advanced nuclear reactor, and we’ll bring it to market in a timeframe commensurate with the fastest new construction,” Pardee said. “These uprates are a critical component of Exelon 2020, the company’s plan to eliminate the equivalent of its 2001 carbon footprint by 2020.”

Uprate projects improve the efficiency and increase electricity output of a nuclear generating unit through upgrades to plant equipment. The projects take advantage of new production and measurement technologies, new materials and learning from a half-century of nuclear power operations.

“We have a proven record of achieving additional output at our plants through equipment upgrades and efficiency improvements,” Pardee said. “Nuclear uprates are safe, economical and add to the long-term safety and improved efficiency of a nuclear plant.”

Exelon’s uprate projects use proven technologies and are overseen by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They fall into four general categories:

 

   

Measurement uncertainty recapture” (MUR) uprates, in which more accurate metering allows more precise reactor operations and more electrical output. MUR uprates increase reactor thermal power and require NRC approval.

 

   

Extended power uprates, in which reactor power can be safely increased by up to 20 percent after careful, rigorous analysis, equipment upgrades and NRC approval.

 

   

Generator rewinds, in which replacing certain generator components with new copper makes it possible for the generator to produce more electricity. Power plants will continue to meet all NRC license basis requirements.


   

Turbine retrofits, in which advanced technology has allowed production of new and better shapes and sizes of turbine parts, such as blades, rotors and casings. These new parts make the turbines more efficient, akin to improving the gas mileage on an automobile by using computer-controlled fuel injection rather than a carburetor. Power plants will continue to meet all NRC license basis requirements.

In addition to producing more megawatts, these component upgrades improve the reliability of the units and support operating license extensions, which require extensive review of plant equipment condition.

Uprate projects are underway at Exelon’s Limerick and Peach Bottom nuclear stations in Pennsylvania and the Dresden, LaSalle and Quad-Cities plants in Illinois. Those are expected to produce nearly a quarter of the new megawatts.

The remainder of uprate megawatts will come from additional projects at nine Exelon plants beginning in 2010 and ending in 2017.

At 1,500 nuclear-generated megawatts, the uprates would displace 8 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually that would otherwise come from burning fossil fuels.

Exelon operates the largest fleet of commercial nuclear reactors in the United States and the third largest in the world. A series of plant upgrades and uprates over the past 10 years have already added approximately 1,100 new megawatts to Exelon Nuclear’s generation.

###

Exelon Corporation is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities with approximately $19 billion in annual revenues. The company has one of the industry’s largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.4 million customers in northern Illinois and southeastern Pennsylvania and natural gas to approximately 485,000 customers in the Philadelphia area. Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC.

Forward Looking Statement

This communication includes forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include Exelon’s ability to achieve the full additional capacity contemplated by the proposed uprates, the availability of required components and raw materials, and the timing to complete the proposed uprates and obtain regulatory approvals as well those discussed in (1) Exelon’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K in (a) ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (b) ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation and (c) ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Note 18; (2) Exelon’s First Quarter 2009 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in (a) Part II, Other Information, ITEM 1A. Risk Factors and (b) Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements: Note 13; and (3) other factors discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Exelon Corporation or Exelon Generation Company LLC (Companies). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this communication. Neither of the Companies undertakes any obligation to publicly release any revision to its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this communication, except as required by law.

 

2

Presentation slides
Exelon Generation Nuclear Uprate Projects
June 12, 2009
Exhibit 99.2


2
This presentation includes forward-looking statements.  There are a number of risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein.  The
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include
Exelon’s ability to achieve the full additional capacity contemplated by the proposed uprates, the
availability of required components and raw materials, and the timing to complete the proposed uprates
and obtain required regulatory approvals as well as those discussed in (1) Exelon’s 2008 Annual Report
on Form 10-K in (a) ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (b) ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operation and (c) ITEM 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data: Note 18;  (2) Exelon’s First Quarter 2009 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in (a) Part II, Other
Information, ITEM 1A. Risk Factors and (b) Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements:
Note 13; and (3) other factors discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
Exelon Corporation or Exelon Generation Company LLC (Companies).
Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this
communication.  Neither of the Companies undertakes any obligation to publicly release any revision to its
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this communication, except
as required by law.
Forward-Looking Statements


3
A successful 38-megawatt power uprate at Quad Cities in June 2009 launched a series
of planned power uprates across Exelon’s nuclear fleet
Uprates equivalent in size of a new nuclear plant but significantly lower cost and shorter
timeline
1,300 –
1,500 MW
$3.5
billion
($2,200
2,500
/
kW)
1
through
2017
Positive
economics,
coming
on-line
between
2009
2017
Capitalizes on Exelon’s proven track record of executing uprates
Contributes to long-term asset management and equipment reliability
Cost-effective growth option
Key component of Exelon 2020 low carbon roadmap
Uprate projects on existing assets provide cost-effective growth and leverage
Exelon’s operational excellence
Exelon Generation Nuclear
Uprate Projects
1
Dollars shown are overnight cost, cost per kW are for MUR and EPU combined


MUR (Measurement Uncertainty Recapture)
Through the use of advanced techniques and more precise
instrumentation, reactor power can be more accurately calculated.
These uprates achieve up to 1.7 percent additional output. MUR
uprates require NRC approval.
Categories of Nuclear Power Uprates
Uprates
Overnight
Cost
187 –
234 MW
$300M
899 –
1016 MW
$2,400M
237 –
266 MW
$800M
EPU (Extended Power Uprate)
Through a combination of more sophisticated analysis and upgrades to
plant equipment, uprates can be obtained for as much as 20 percent of
original licensed power level. EPU uprates require NRC approval.
MW Recovery and Component Upgrades
Replacement
of
major
components
in
the
plant
occur
in
the
normal
life
cycle process –
with
newer technology, replacements result in increased
efficiency. Equipment includes generators, turbines, motors and
transformers. MW Recovery and Component Upgrades must conform to
NRC standards, but do not require additional NRC approval.
4
Project
Duration Time
2 years
3 -
5 years
2 -
3 years
~1,300 –
1,500 MW
$3.5B


Exelon conducts a rigorous engineering and economic
evaluation analysis for each project at each site
Parameters
Strategic
Value
Grow
Value
Regulatory
Feasibility
Execution
Feasibility
Supports Exelon 2020
Creates additional low-carbon generation capacity
Creates long-term value
Straightforward regulatory and environmental licenses,
permits and approvals
Dedicated project management team
Proven technology design
Evaluation Parameters
5


Exelon has substantial experience managing successful uprate projects
1,100 MWs of increased nuclear capacity over the past 10 years
Incremental 1,300 –
1,500 MWs of nuclear uprates are safe, economical and
proven methods to improve efficiency and output
Track Record of Execution
Staggered execution provides for continued re-evaluation of project economics
6
EPUs
MURs
MW Recovery and
Component Upgrades
Maximum Potential MWs
Year Uprates Become Operational
1,100 MW
1,300 –
1,500 MW


Uprate Execution Plan
Total Uprate
Projects 
2008
-
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2008
-
2017
$225
$350
$550
$675
$625
$725
$725
$400
$150
$4,425
Experienced project management organization in place
Engineering evaluation incorporates industry and Exelon
lessons learned
Project plan execution
Logically sequenced
Phased to leverage experience, ensure best use of
resources
Project offramps
in place as needed to defer or cancel
7
Exelon has an executable, strategically sequenced, project implementation plan
1
Dollars shown are nominal, reflecting 6% escalation, in millions
1


Locations of Nuclear Power
Uprate Projects
8
Nuclear uprates span across nine plants
Exelon’s $2,200 –
2,500 / kW overnight cost for its MUR and EPU projects
is better value than the cost for a nuclear new build that has been
estimated as high as $4,500 / kW (2007 dollars)
Base
Maximum
Case
Potential
MW
MW
Braidwood -
MUR
34
-
42
2012
Byron -
MUR
34
-
42
2012
Clinton -
EPU
17
-
17
2016
Clinton -
EPU
2
-
3
2010
Dresden -
MW Recovery & Component Upgrades
103
-
110
2012
Dresden -
MW Recovery & Component Upgrades
5
-
5
2011
Dresden -
MUR
25
-
31
2014
LaSalle -
MUR
32
-
40
2011
LaSalle -
EPU
303
-
336
2016
Limerick -
MUR
33
-
41
2011
Limerick -
MW Recovery & Component Upgrades
6
-
6
2012
Limerick -
EPU
306
-
340
2017
Peach Bottom -
MW Recovery & Component Upgrades
25
-
32
2012
Peach Bottom -
EPU
134
-
148
2015
Peach Bottom -
MW Recovery & Component Upgrades
3
-
3
2014
Quad Cities -
MUR
19
-
23
2013
Quad Cities -
MW Recovery & Component Upgrades
95
-
110
2011
TMI -
EPU
138
-
172
2016
TMI -
MUR
12
-
15
2014
Total
1,323
-
1,516
Year of Operation