Press Release-I-05-044, NRC Updates Public on License Renewal Process at Oyster Creek
| ML052360494 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 08/24/2005 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs Region I |
| To: | |
| Category:Press Release | |
| References | |
| %dam200604 Press Release-I-05-044 | |
| Download: ML052360494 (2) | |
Text
NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs, Region I 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa.
Web Site: http://www.nrc.gov/OPA No. I-05-044 August 24, 2005
Contact:
Diane Screnci, 610/337-5330 Email: opa1@nrc.gov Neil Sheehan, 610/337-5331 NRC UPDATES PUBLIC ON LICENSE RENEWAL PROCESS AT OYSTER CREEK LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) officials say the renewal of the Oyster Creek nuclear plant license hinges on whether the plant can be operated safely.
We will only approve an additional 20 years of operation if the agency finds that the Lacey Township plant can be operated safely through that period, NRC Senior Project Manager for the Oyster Creek license renewal review Johnny Eads said in remarks prepared for the evening meeting at the Lacey Township High School.
Agency officials were scheduled to outline to the public plans for what they describe as a thorough and comprehensive review that will be undertaken before any decision is made on whether to approve a license renewal for the plant.
An agency spokeswoman said the staff will describe the NRCs review process, specifically the safety review portion of the review. The staff also planned to explain how the public can participate in the regulatory process.
The current operating license for Oyster Creek expires on April 9, 2009. Last month, plant owner Amergen submitted an application for the renewal of the license for up to an additional 20 years.
The review process consists of four major components - a safety review, plant inspections, an independent review by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, and an environmental review.
Members of the public have numerous opportunities to participate in the process. The first is a 60-day opportunity to request a hearing. The onset of that period will be announced in a Federal Register Notice, as well as a press release. The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards also will hold a meeting at NRC headquarters in Rockville, Md., to discuss the Safety Evaluation. That meeting is open for public observation. Finally, any formal meeting held with the company, Amergen, during the safety review process will be noticed and open to the public for observation.
Separately, as part of the environmental review, the NRC conducts a scoping meeting to collect public comments to help define the scope of the environmental review. The public can also participate
in a public meeting to discuss the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Public Meeting or provide comments via email or regular mail during the 75-day comment period.
The NRC considers public involvement in, and information about our activities to be a cornerstone of strong, fair regulation of the nuclear industry, said Eads.
The NRC review process is expected to take 22 months if there is no adjudicatory hearing and 30 months with a hearing.