By Daniel Brock
dbrock@scbiznews.com
Published May 21, 2010

The Carolinas are national leaders in nuclear energy, but only continued investment and growth will keep it that way. More development also will mean billions of dollars for a region stretching from the Tar Heel State to North Georgia, according to a group that aims to organize and promote the carbonless energy source.

Already, South Carolina is home to seven nuclear reactors that produce more than 50% of the state’s power. Four more reactors are on the way, including two at S.C. Electric & Gas’ $10 billion V.C. Summer station near Jenkinsville. The first is scheduled to open in 2016, and the second is set to follow in 2019.

“Nuclear knowledge here is unparalleled. We either build on it, develop it and grow the economy, or we lose it,” said Scott Carlberg, a communication specialist speaking on behalf of the Carolinas Nuclear Cluster.

The cluster, an arm of New Carolina: South Carolina’s Council on Competitiveness, hosted a meeting this morning in Goose Creek that doubled as a pep rally and an informational session for manufacturers and service providers looking to jump on board the nuclear bandwagon.

The seminar was targeted at manufacturing companies — producing pipes, valves, fittings, electrical systems, HVAC systems and construction materials — and service providers — machine shops; electrical, mechanical and HVAC maintenance; waste cleanup; office maintenance; hazardous materials cleanup; painters; radiological protection; quality control; and laboratory services.

Representatives from SCE&G, Westinghouse Electric Co. — the nuclear power company that’s also part of the V.C. Summer contracting team — and others addressed a full room of executives eager to join the supply train of an industry that some experts predict will grow from $50 billion to $300 billion over the next 15 years.

“It’s a good time to be getting back into the industry,” said Glenn Marcus, a nuclear sourcing manager with SCE&G, who touted the safety and cleanliness of nuclear power.

“Once you prove yourself, it’s a real community,” Carlberg added.

Speakers also touched on the idea of involving younger people in nuclear engineering, as almost half of the nuclear engineers in the Carolinas will be eligible for retirement in 2013.

“That’s a huge gap,” Carlberg said.

Marcus and Dave Eckert, the director of business for Pegasus Nuclear, a branch of steel fabricator Pegasus Steel, detailed the procedures for nuclear procurement, which centered heavily on companies having their information in order before applying for jobs. Safety record and focus on human performance, experience and financial stability were also keys.

Eckert, whose company entered the nuclear market a few years ago, noted in his presentation that materials, equipment and subcontracted services often make up 40% to 60% of a project’s costs.

Some critics of nuclear power debate its safety, and the V.C. Summer reactors were the catalyst for a decade’s worth of upcoming rate hikes by SCE&G.

Meanwhile, Amy Buu, a knowledge management team leader with Westinghouse, said nuclear energy is not only safe but can be an economic driver. She added that the dissemination of information about nuclear power has been difficult, as public perception is colored by the likes of Homer Simpson, the Back to the Future movies and The China Syndrome.

“I’ve been in nuclear for 10 years,” Buu said. “I hope you don’t see a green glow.”

Reach Daniel Brock at 843-849-3144.