Press Release-12-062, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorizes Staff to Renew Operating License for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-12-062: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorizes Staff to Renew Operating License for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant

ML12146A208
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	05/25/2012
From:	Office of Public Affairs
To:
References
Press Release-12-062
Download: ML12146A208 (1)

Text

NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.gov Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov No.12-062 May 25, 2012 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION AUTHORIZES STAFF TO RENEW OPERATING LICENSE FOR PILGRIM NUCLEAR POWER PLANT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has authorized the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to renew the operating license of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass., for an additional 20 years. Staff expects to renew the license before Pilgrims current operating license expires on June 8.

The Commissions authorization came in a Staff Requirements Memorandum issued today. The staff had requested authorization to renew Pilgrims license although some contentions remain under adjudication before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. Under NRC policy, a decision to renew a license before completion of the hearing requires Commission approval. The authorization specifies that if the renewed license is subsequently set aside on appeal, the previous license would be reinstated.

Without the license renewal, Entergy, the plant operator, could continue to operate the Pilgrim reactor after June 8 under timely renewal provisions in NRC regulations, which would keep the current license in effect while the adjudication continues. Renewal of the license means new license conditions take effect, requiring Entergy to implement age-management policies and programs designed to ensure safety during the period of extended operations.

The Staff Requirements Memorandum and the Commissioners votes are available on the NRC website.

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