Constellation seeks 20-year license extension for Dresden nuclear plant

April 17 (Reuters) - Constellation Energy Corp said on Wednesday it has asked the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to extend the operating license of its Dresden plant in Illinois by another two decades.

The nuclear plant produces enough baseload electricity to power the equivalent of nearly 1.4 million homes, and is currently licensed to operate through 2029 for Unit 2 and 2031 for Unit 3.

Constellation said its renewal application will kick start a multi-year review by the NRC, and if approved, will keep the plant operating through 2051.

There is growing global support for nuclear energy, which is seen as a carbon-free solution to address pollution and climate change.

Baltimore, Maryland-based Constellation has been investing to maintain and expand its nuclear power generation. The company in February said it is seeking license renewal for its other plant in Illinois and last month issued a corporate green bond worth $900 million to finance its nuclear energy projects. (Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)