nuclear-news

Nuclear Regulatory Commission blesses Indian Point nuclear reactor for another 20 years

NRC: No Environmental Impact From Indian Point Relicensing – WSJ.com, By Naureen S. Malik NEW YORK (Dow Jones)-–The federal nuclear regulator said Friday no environmental effects exist to keep Entergy Corp.’s (ETR) Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York from operating an additional 20 years.

The report issued by the staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the latest development in an ongoing battle over the future of the plant that supplies, on average, a quarter of the power for New York City and Westchester County, according to Entergy statistics.

The commission still has to make a final decision on the plant’s two reactors whose operating licensing expire in September 2013 and December 2015, respectively. The agency’s staff has completed its review of the licensing application that was filed in 2007. It had already said extending the operation of Indian Point doesn’t pose a safety risk.

“This is an important milestone,” said Entergy spokesman Jim Steets, who expects the hearing process for the license application to last through 2011…….

The next step is for the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, an independent panel of three administrative law judges set up by the commission, to review the case, decide what issues to focus on and launch an evidentiary hearing. Eventually, the full commission will issue a final ruling.

Meanwhile, Entergy is going through a parallel process with New York environmental regulators to receive water permits to operate the plant, which could make it difficult to receive federal licence renewals. In April, the state agency rejected Entergy’s application but the company continues to work with authorities to work through those issues…..

UPDATE: NRC: No Environmental Impact From Indian Point Relicensing – WSJ.com

December 4, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA