2008-09-18 23:57:02 -

- GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Ned Glascock +1 910 675 5729 edward.glascock@ge.com or Masto Public Relations Howard Masto or Tom Murnane +1 518 786 6488 howard.masto@ge.com tom.murnane@mastopr.com Detroit Edison, Michigan's largest electric utility, today submitted a combined construction and operating license application (COLA) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a potential new reactor, based on GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's

ESBWR design, at its existing Fermi 2 Power Plant site. The facility is on the shore of Lake Erie, 35 miles south of Detroit.

By submitting its license application before 2009, Detroit Edison remains eligible for federal incentives offered under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to the first group of U.S. utilities that place orders for the first new nuclear reactors in three decades.

Detroit Edison is the fourth U.S. energy company to select the Generation III+ ESBWR for a total of six potential reactor units. GEH also is providing Detroit Edison with technical support for its license application. Also this month, Exelon Corp submitted a license application to the NRC for a license to build and operate two ESBWR reactors near Victoria, Texas.

Detroit Edison's selection of the ESBWR comes as a growing number of U.S. utilities are considering whether to invest in building new fleets of advanced reactors to help address the country's converging concerns over energy supply security and global climate change.

"We are pleased to work with Detroit Edison in supporting its license application for a potential ESBWR to help the state meet its long-term energy needs," said Jack Fuller, GEH President and CEO. "Detroit Edison's submittal of a license application based on the ESBWR is an important step forward and reflects confidence in our advanced design to provide Detroit Edison customers and shareholders with the right combination of cost-effective energy with a greater level of safety and reliability."

In addition to the ESBWR, GEH also is offering its Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) design to U.S. utilities seeking a commercially proven, NRC-certified model that also features some of the operational and safety design benefits of the ESBWR. The ABWR is the world's first Generation III reactor in commercial operation and served as the foundation for the evolutionary ESBWR design.

About GEH Nuclear Energy

Based in Wilmington, N.C., GEH is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.

Detroit Edison is fourth U.S. energy company to select GEH's
Generation III+ ESBWR