"We soon expect to see the first application for an early site permit for a nuclear power plant," said Christian Poindexter, who is chairman of the institute and of Constellation Energy Group Inc. .

"Once granted, an early site permit will enable the company that holds it to consider building a nuclear plant when it needs new generating capacity," he said in a speech at the industry group's meeting in Naples, Florida.

Poindexter did not identify which company will seek the permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Earlier this week, Exelon Corp. said it might add a new reactor to its existing nuclear plant site in Illinois. The company's Clinton nuclear power station was originally designed for two units and currently houses a single 950-megawatt reactor.

Applying for an early site permit gives a utility the option of building a new reactor without committing itself to construction.

Two other U.S. utilities have also said they are preparing early site permit applications. Entergy Corp. and Dominion Resources Inc.

The Bush administration said in February it would offer three federally-owned sites for U.S. utilities to build new nuclear power plants this decade.

The government's push has been criticized by some activist groups, who cite safety concerns and the growing volume of dangerous radioactive waste generated by 103 existing U.S. plants.

A broad energy bill approved last month by the U.S. Senate includes some provisions to encourage new nuclear construction. A final version of the legislation has yet to be worked out by Senate and House negotiators.

U.S. nuclear plants supply about 20 percent of the nation's electricity.