ML24064A095

News Release-24-012: NRC Seeks Input, Offers Hearing Opportunity on Oconee Station Subsequent License Renewal Draft Environmental Impact Statement

ML24064A095
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Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	02/13/2024
From:	Office of Public Affairs
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News Release-24-012
Download: ML24064A095 (1)

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No: 24-012 February 13, 2024 CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200 NRC Seeks Input, Offers Hearing Opportunity on Oconee Station Subsequent License Renewal Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on its draft site-specific environmental impact s tatement - called an E IS - for Duke Energy Carolinas application proposing a second renewal of the licenses for the Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca, South Carolina.

Duke is seeking a second, or subsequent, renewal of the plants licenses from 60 to 80 years. The licenses for the three Oconee reactors currently expire in February 2033 for Unit 1, October 2033 for Unit 2, and July 2034 for Unit 3.

The staffs preliminary conclusion in the EIS is there are no adverse environmental impacts that would preclude the renewal of Oconee Stations operating licenses for another 20 years. The draft EIS is open for comments for 45 days after publication of a Federal Register notice, anticipated Feb. 16.

The NRC staff will hold two public meetings on the draft EIS. The first meeting will be held Feb. 21 from 7-9 p.m. Eastern time at the Clemson University Conference Center, 230 Madren Center Drive in Clemson, South Carolina. The staff will also hold an open house from 6-7 p.m. Eastern time for informal discussions with the public. The second meeting will be a webinar from 1-3 p.m. Eastern time on Feb. 27. At both meetings, the staff will discuss the environmental review process and accept comments on the draft EIS.

Written comments can be submitted by email to OconeeEnvironmental@nrc.gov, or electronically at regulations.gov, using Docket ID NRC-2021-0146. Comments also can be submitted by U.S. M ail to Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff.

The NRC is also providing an opportunity to request an adjudicatory hearing on new information presented in the draft EIS. Interested parties have 60 days from todays Federal Register notice to file a hearing request.

A copy of Duke Energys subsequent license renewal environmental report supplement will be available for public review at the Seneca Branch of the Oconee County Public Library, 300 E. South 2nd Street in Seneca, South Carolina. Information about the Oconee subsequent license renewal review is available on the NRC website.