In July 2005,
Oyster Creek submitted an application to the United States
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to extend its operating
license by 20 years. NRC approval would extend the license
until 2029. Oyster Creek has operated safely for more than
37 years powering 600,000 homes in New Jersey. We are committed
to clean, safe and reliable operation for an additional
20 years.
 Oyster
Creek's current license expires in 2009 at the end of a
40-year operating license. This license was based on the
accounting amortization period generally used by electric
utility companies for large capital investments such as
Oyster Creek. The term is not based on safety, technical
or environmental issues. Because Oyster Creek continues
to operate at the high standards set by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) and the State of New Jersey and is a valuable
component of New Jersey's electricity supply, the plant
is seeking a renewal of its license.
To receive a renewal license, a nuclear plant must pass
a rigorous process. First, the plant must submit an application
to the NRC for renewal, which Oyster Creek submitted in
July 2005. The application includes general, environmental
and technical information in compliance with federal regulations.
After the application is submitted, the public may submit
a request for a hearing.
The NRC staff reviews the application on two parallel "tracks"
- a safety review and an environmental review. In the safety
review process, there are a number of steps including
a thorough review of the application's safety sections,
an informal public meeting, an audit of the station's
aging management programs and inspections. For the environmental
review, a public meeting is held, site audits are conducted,
and an environmental impact statement is prepared, commented
on by the public and revised.
To learn about upcoming and
past public license renewal meetings and hearings, click
here. Or to see a timeline of Oyster Creek's renewal
process click here.
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