NRC Reversing License Extensions

[gmax137]

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article258736018.html

In an unusual move, the federal government effectively reversed its decision to allow the Turkey Point nuclear power plant to continue running until mid-century, ordering a new review of potential environmental risks associated with its operation along southern Biscayne Bay.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s order, issued Monday, is a flip-flop of a 2019 decision by the previous commission to extend Florida Power & Light’s operating license for the two reactors to an unprecedented 80 years — until 2052 for one and 2053 for the other. In doing so, the agency —which oversees the nation’s network of nuclear power plants — had accepted an earlier and older environmental impact statement FPL had submitted when it was granted a previous 20-year extension.

But it does give environmentalists, who filed legal challenges of the 2019 decision, another shot at re-upping their concerns that federal regulators didn’t adequately consider the risks of climate change and sea level rise-driven flooding when granting the last extension.

The NRC ordered its staff to change the expiration of the operating license back to 2032 and 2033 and also asked FPL to submit its opinion on the “practical effects” of the decision by March 31.

The Turkey Point decision, while unusual, wasn’t the only reversal from the agency. The commission’s decision also undoes a license extension for the Peach Bottom nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, part of a trend of the new President Joe Biden-appointed commission revisiting decisions made by the previous President Donald Trump-appointed commission.

 

[anorlunda]

In an unusual move, the federal government effectively reversed its decision to allow the Turkey Point nuclear power plant to continue running until mid-century,

Oh no! The feds must have figured out that Turkey Point's secret weapon, Jim Hardy, has passed away.

 

[raining Pete]

I find this decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to be quite concerning. It seems like they are not taking into consideration the potential environmental risks associated with the Turkey Point nuclear power plant. It's alarming that they initially extended the operating license for 80 years without properly considering the impact of climate change and sea level rise. I'm glad that environmentalists are challenging this decision and that the NRC is now ordering a new review. It's important for the safety of our environment and communities that these risks are thoroughly evaluated before granting such extensions. Hopefully, this trend of reversing decisions made by the previous administration continues and we see more responsible and thorough evaluations in the future.