Ameren applies for potential new nuclear plant

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- AmerenUE is applying to federal nuclear regulators for a license to build and operate a potential new nuclear power plant in Callaway County.

The St. Louis-based utility filed the 8,000-page license application Monday with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The 1,600-megawatt reactor would be next to Ameren's existing nuclear facility, the Callaway Plant, outside of Fulton.

Ameren says it has not made a decision to build a second nuclear plant. However, approval and a license would preserve that option for the future.

It also would put Ameren in a position to seek federal loan guarantees and production tax credits made possible by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.