NRC accepts IP license renewal applications

NRC accepts IP license renewal applications
Washington – The staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Wednesday formally accepted Entergy’s applications to apply for 20 year license renewal for its Indian Point nuclear power plant Unit 2 and Unit 3.
Entergy submitted the renewal application on April 30. The license for Indian Point Unit 2 expires on Sept. 28, 2013, and on Dec. 12, 2015, for Unit 3. Indian Point Unit 1 was shut down in 1974.
The NRC staff has determined that the application contains sufficient information for the agency to formally “docket,” or file, the application and begin its technical review.
Indian Point spokesman James Steets said the application process will now begin in earnest.
“This officially kicks off the licensing period where we are going to be able to demonstrate that these plants are needed, that they are safe, that they can operate safely for another 20 years, that these plants are truly right for New York,” he said. “I know that is going to arouse some interest and some debate, but we look forward to that debate because we are very confident that we can make a strong case that these plants need to continue operating.”
The NRC also received letters from the New York State Attorney General, Riverkeeper, and Friends United for Sustainable Energy, asserting that Entergy’s license renewal application was incomplete or inaccurate. Although the NRC has determined that the application contains sufficient information to docket the application, the staff will consider these comments as appropriate during the technical review process.
The Indian Point application for license renewal is posted at www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications/indian-point.html.
An NRC review schedule for Indian Point will also be posted soon.