Constellation (NASDAQ: CEG) is investing approximately $100 million to upgrade critical electrical systems and plant equipment at Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center in Lusby, Md. These upgrades will ensure continued safe and reliable operations and enable a potential renewal of the plant's operating licenses and a future increase in power output. The investment is part of Constellation's efforts to help Maryland meet rising demand for clean, reliable power and grow Maryland's economy.

"Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center is the largest source of clean, 24/7 power in Maryland and we are making substantial financial investments to keep it running reliably while generating economic development in Maryland," said Joe Dominguez, Constellation president and CEO. "With prudent energy policies and customer demand for clean and reliable energy, there is an opportunity for hundreds of millions of dollars of additional investment at Calvert to upgrade the plant and ensure that it can power Maryland for decades to come, supporting thousands of good-paying jobs for families." 

Work will begin on many of the equipment upgrades later this month during Calvert Cliffs' Spring refueling outage. Annual maintenance and refueling outages allow the plant to supply enough carbon-free electricity to reliably power the equivalent of more than 1.3 million homes, while creating thousands of jobs and economic opportunities for Maryland families. This year's outage schedule includes refurbishment and replacement of critical pumps, motors, valves and control rod systems, as well as an overhaul of the plant's 13KV transformer. Many of the tasks performed during the outage cannot be accomplished while the unit is online.

Constellation is also investing $68 million in 24 state-of-the-art electrical breakers to upgrade its substation and to help enable future customer service on the grid. Preliminary analysis indicates that further upgrades at Calvert Cliffs could increase electricity production by roughly 10 percent.  This would produce more carbon-free power than all the wind and utility-scale solar currently operating in Maryland.

"The Calvert County Chamber of Commerce applauds Constellation's continuous commitment to Southern Maryland," said Kathyrn Maney, president & CEO of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce. "Constellation's refueling outage brings family sustaining jobs and a significant increase in revenue for local businesses, the backbone of our economy. These critical projects will help attract new businesses to Southern Maryland, ensuring the region reaps economic and environmental benefits and helps to increase the reliability of continuous affordable power for more than one million Marylanders."

Calvert Cliffs' annual Spring outages bring a welcome boost to the local economy, with additional employment and retail activity in the communities near the facility. More than 2,000 skilled electricians, pipefitters, welders, carpenters, laborers, steamfitters and other tradespeople will come to Calvert from across the country to perform inspections, tests and maintenance activities, increasing business for local hotels, restaurants, stores and gas stations.

"Constellation Energy's investment in Calvert Cliffs will grow Maryland's economy and create jobs for skilled trade workers across the state," said Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building Trades president Greg Akerman. "This investment will not only generate new opportunities, but it will also help secure the long-term future of the plant. Calvert Cliffs has been a cornerstone of Maryland's economy, providing stable and family sustaining jobs for half a century. By committing to investments like this, Constellation Energy is securing a pathway to family sustaining jobs for the next generation."

Located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center is Maryland's only nuclear energy facility and one of the largest economic engines in the State. It contributes $23 million annually in property taxes and employs more than 800 full time employees. The station is home to two pressurized water reactors capable of delivering 1,756 megawatts, which is roughly 40 percent of Maryland's total power generation and 80 percent of the state's clean power generation.