News

 Notice of Availability of the Draft Revision to Generic 

Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, 

Revision 1, NUREG-1437 and Public Meetings (see complete info from the Federal Register at bottom.) 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend 

·        its environmental protection regulations by updating the Commission's 

·        1996 findings on the environmental impacts related to the renewal of a 

·        nuclear power plant's operating license. The Commission stated that it 

·        intends to review the assessment of impacts and update it on a 10-year 

·        cycle, if necessary. The proposed rule redefines the number and scope 

·        of the environmental impact issues which must be addressed by the 

·        Commission in conjunction with the review of applications for license 

·        renewal.

 July 24, 2009

Decision will influence future of industry

By PETER BEHR of ClimateWire

The Obama administration is close to a decision on filling two vacancies on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, according to industry and congressional sources. The appointments would come at a pivotal time for the industry's hopes of a revival, as NRC weighs operating license applications for a handful of new reactors and a review of its waste fuel policy.

The administration is believed to have settled on former Energy Department official William Magwood and Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor George Apostolakis as the nominees. Both would be welcomed by the industry, officials said.

WAYNE PARRY

The Associated Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission started a special investigation Thursday into an emergency shutdown of the nation's oldest nuclear power plant.

Over the weekend, the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station had to shut down when severe thunderstorms knocked out power to the area.

 July 17, 2009 

By Ad Crable 

Lancaster New Era Staff

A control-room operator at the Peach Bottom nuclear plant spent 10 minutes reading a novel, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission alleges.

The violation of federal regulations came to light while the NRC was at the plant for an inspection prompted by a 2007 incident in which security guards at the plant were filmed sleeping in an off-duty room where they were allowed to rest but not sleep.

The latest incident occurred in July 2007, according to a notice of violation sent to Peach Bottom owner Exelon Generation on Thursday.