WARRENVILLE, Ill., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Exelon Nuclear's 17 generating units produced a total of 132.3 million net megawatt-hours of electricity in 2007, the highest annual production ever for the nation's largest operator of commercial nuclear reactors and enough electricity to steadily supply more than 15 million American homes. The fleet also achieved an average capacity factor of 94.5 percent, an all-time record for the company and the fifth consecutive year over 93 percent. Capacity factor is a measure of reliability. The industry average capacity factor in 2006, the latest year for which figures are available, was 89.9 percent. Exelon's generating units -- at 10 sites in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey -- generated 955,000 megawatt-hours more than the previous record established in 2006. Safety and environmental statistics at Exelon Nuclear plants increased along with production in 2007. The 10 plants recorded their lowest industrial safety accident rate and number of unplanned shutdowns ever. At the same time, the plants prevented 121 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by eliminating the need for an equivalent amount of coal-based generation. When compared with natural gas generation, Exelon Nuclear prevented the release of 63 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. "Through our focus on nuclear safety and equipment reliability, we expect to achieve a continued high level of performance and positive environmental impact," said Chief Nuclear Officer Charles Pardee. "This is key to increased public support of nuclear power as an efficient, reliable and environmentally necessary source of electricity now and in the future." The carbon avoided by the Exelon Nuclear fleet in 2007 is equivalent to the emissions of more than 23 million passenger cars, nearly double the number of cars in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined. A "megawatt" is one million watts of electricity produced at any given moment in time, generally considered to be enough electricity to power 1,000 typical homes. A "megawatt hour" is a million watts generated over an hour. "Capacity factor" refers to the ratio of electricity actually produced compared to the theoretical maximum if a plant were to run at full power 100 percent of the time. Also in 2007, Exelon Nuclear: -- Announced its intention to file an application for a combined construction and operating license for a possible new plant in southeast Texas. The application is to be filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Sept. 2008, although Exelon has not decided to build a plant. -- In March became the first nuclear operator to receive an Early Site Permit from the NRC for possible new plant construction. The permit reserves a site at the Clinton Power Station in DeWitt County, Ill., for up to 20 years for new construction should Exelon Nuclear decide to build a plant there. -- Saw half of its boiling water reactors named among the top power producing reactors of that design worldwide. Exelon Nuclear operates 12 of the world's 92 boiling water reactors. There are 439 nuclear reactors of all designs generating 20 percent of the world's electricity. Exelon Corporation is one of the nation's largest electric utilities with more than $15 billion in annual revenues. The company has one of the industry's largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.4 million customers in northern Illinois and Pennsylvania and natural gas to approximately 480,000 customers in the Philadelphia area. Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC. Contact: Krista Lopykinski, 630-657-3602 Beth Rapczynski, 610-765-5530 DATASOURCE: Exelon Nuclear CONTACT: Krista Lopykinski, +1-630-657-3602, or Beth Rapczynski, +1-610-765-5530, both of Exelon Nuclear Web site: http://www.exeloncorp.com/

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