For immediate release

HOMEWOOD, IL (June 2009) — Power industry experts and publications report that the demand for construction of new nuclear storage facilities is expected to increase as power companies begin to grapple with concerns over spent fuel storage. “Although we anticipate that environmental work will continue, we’re also seeing a re-emergence of interest in the nuclear arena,” said Tom Gore, vice president, Graycor Industrial Constructors inc. In particular, we’re seeing an increase in the demand for construction of dry cask storage facilities,” he added.

Dry cask storage is a method of storing high-level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel, on site. The fuel is typically stored in large, leak-tight steel cylinders. Each cylinder is typically surrounded by additional steel, concrete, or other materials to provide ventilation and protection.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the need for alternative storage began to grow when pools at many nuclear reactors began to fill up with stored spent fuel. With no national storage facility in operation, utilities began looking at options for storing spent fuel. Dry cask storage was one of the most practical options for temporary storage. It is estimated in the next decade that nuclear power plants will essentially be out of room in their spent fuel pools. This, in addition to the fact that there is still no national storage available, most likely translates to increased demand for construction of spent fuel storage facilities.  

Graycor Industrial’s experience in this niche includes the construction of a dry cask facility for Wisconsin Electric Power Co. (now owned by Florida Power & Light Co.) nuclear plant in Two Rivers, Wis. (pictured below). The quality- and safety-sensitive project required extensive documentation of procedures and materials used. As part of the new facility, eight new ventilated concrete storage casks were built to store spent fuel assemblies after their cool-down period. Graycor Industrial also constructed two large storage pads, perimeter security fencing, site and road work, and a pre-engineered building with foundations.

About Graycor Industrial Constructors Inc.

For more than 80 years, Graycor Industrial Constructors Inc. (Graycor Industrial) has been taking on the toughest heavy industrial construction projects across North America in a variety of markets including metals, power and process. The company has earned a reputation in the industry for developing long-term, collaborative partnerships that result in projects being completed efficiently, effectively and, most importantly, safely.

The Graycor companies – Graycor Industrial Constructors Inc., Graycor Construction Company Inc., Graycor Blasting Company Inc., and Graycor International – provide a wide variety of industrial and commercial construction services, as well as industrial maintenance technologies, across North America. As a top ranking industry leader with annual revenues in excess of $600 million, Graycor commits to safe working environments, demands excellence and rewards passion. Established in 1921, Graycor employs more than 1,500 construction specialists at the Chicago headquarters, regional offices and project locations across the United States, Canada and Mexico. For more information on the Graycor family of companies, visit www.graycor.com or call 1-800-455-0440.