Unit 2 of the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear power plant reached 20 years of clean, safe, and reliable commercial operation on June 19. The state-of-the-art facility – one of the youngest among the nation’s 104 commercial reactors -- has produced a total of 178 billion kilowatt-hours of carbon-free energy, enough to power approximately 650,000 homes annually for two decades.
STP Unit 2 has established several national and industry production records. It first became the highest-producing reactor in the U.S. in 1992, and consistently ranks in the top three nationally. It led the country and ranked third among all 439 reactors worldwide in electrical generation in 2006.
For five consecutive years, the plant has produced more energy than any other two-unit nuclear facility in the country.
“Our commitment is to provide clean, safe, and reliable energy to millions of Texans every day,” said STP Nuclear Operating Company Chief Nuclear Officer Ed Halpin. “For two decades, our two units have achieved high levels of safety and reliability while keeping production costs low.”
The baseload facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the past three years (2006-2008), STP led all multi-unit sites in the country with a net capacity factor – a measure of reliability – of 98.87 percent. By comparison, solar energy has an average capacity factor of 20 percent and wind energy maintains an average capacity factor of 30 percent.
Unit 2 produced two breaker-to-breaker production runs by operating continuously between refuelings, which are about 18 months apart. Unit 2 completed its first breaker-to-breaker run on March 26, 2007 and its second on Oct. 5, 2008.
The two breaker-to-breaker runs, combined with two intervening ones by STP Unit 1, have set an all-time record in the industry’s 50-year history. Unit 1 reached its twentieth operational anniversary on Aug. 25, 2008.
“Our state’s economy depends on energy,” said Halpin. “We believe nuclear energy will play a critical role in securing our state’s long-term energy future. Nuclear energy is not only our nation’s largest source of carbon-free energy, it is also the most efficient form of generation available – operating day and night throughout the year to serve that steady base of growing demand that’s always there.”
Earlier this year, STP achieved a Total Industrial Safety Accident Rate of 0.0 (based on 18-month average) and is now in the top 10- percent of all U.S. nuclear power plants for personal safety.
A FLAG raising ceremony to mark the start of the Palacios Centennial Week was held Sunday morning at the South Bay Park pavilion flag pole. The U.S. Flag had flown over the U.S. Capitol and was donated by John Toellner. Taking part in the ceremony were (l-r) Councilman Bert West, John Toellner, Mayor Joe Morton and Larry Griffin. (Beacon Photo by Nick West) 
Unit 2 of the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear power plant reached 20 years of clean, safe, and reliable commercial operation on June 19.
THE Palacios Chamber of Commerce’s first Visitors’ Guide in many years will officially be unveiled July 2 at the CofC membership meeting. Members of the CofC Visitors’ Guide Committee (seated l-r) Peggy Hafernick and Jessica Jackowski, along with CofC secretary Patsy Gibson looked through the 28-page guide after it was delivered fresh off the presses last week. Other members of the Visitor Guide Committee included Linda Parker, Ann Cooper, Gayle Ayers, Edith Gower and Jan Pierce. Most of the photos in the Guide were taken by Parker and many of the articles written by Hafernick. The Guide will be available at the Chamber office as well as many CofC businesses. (Beacon Photo by Mary West) 
THE Matagorda County Sheriff's Dept. is seeking the public's help in identifiying the individuals responsible for vandalism at Palacios Cemetery between June 20-21. More than two dozen granite and marble headstones and monument markers were toppled, and some broken, in one section of the cemetery. Anyone having any information regarding this crime, please contact Sgt. Pruitt at 979-245-5526 or Crime Stopper’s at 1-800-299-BUST (2878). You may be eligible for a Crime Stopper’s Reward up to $1,000 if your information helps solve this crime. (Beacon Photos by Nick West)