Dominion Virginia Power has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to file a second license renewal application for one of its nuclear stations.

Surry Power Station would be one of the first nuclear stations in the nation to receive a second license extension if Dominion completes the process and the application is approved.

David A. Christian, chief executive officer of the company’s Dominion Generation business unit, made the announcement at a White House symposium on the future of nuclear energy in the United States.

The company is reviewing all technical aspects associated with the renewal, and while not yet complete, sees no significant barriers that would prevent a license renewal submittal in 2019, according to a company press release.

The letter of intent is necessary so the NRC can plan its staffing needs to support the license renewal effort. Moving forward with the license renewal application will require the approval of the company’s board of directors.

“Renewing Surry Power Station’s licenses for a second 20-year period is good news for our customers, the regional economy and the environment,” Christian said.

“Our customers will benefit by continuing to receive safe, reliable and low-cost electricity from the station through the middle of the century. Our nuclear power stations have proven to be among the most efficient and most reliable sources of electricity in our fleet.

“The operation of Surry also positions Virginia for economic growth. It supports more than 950 high-paying jobs at the station and produces additional economic and tax benefits.

The Surry power plant produces 20 percent of the commonwealth’s electricity, Christian said.

Surry Power Station’s two nuclear units provide 1,676 net megawatts of electricity or enough power for 419,000 homes. Unit 1 began commercial service in 1972, and Unit 2 began commercial service in 1973.

Like all U.S. nuclear units, the Surry units originally were licensed to operate for 40 years. The units’ licenses were renewed for 20 additional years of operation on March 20, 2003, following a review process authorized under federal law.

The Surry nuclear units’ licenses currently expire in 2032 and 2033, but would operate to 2052 and 2053 with renewed licenses.