The NFRC was established in 2002 to promote the construction and operation of nuclear reprocessing facilities. NFRC promotes reprocessing commercial spent nuclear fuel that is generated by commercial nuclear power plants.

Reprocessing dramatically reduces the amount of high-level radioactive waste that would have to be stored in a geologic repository. We also support reprocessing plutonium and highly enriched uranium from nuclear warheads into fuel for use in commercial nuclear power plants.


Monday, January 31, 2011

Upton Says Nuke Plant License Renewals Taking Too Long

Fred Upton
Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has called on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide greater transparency and certainty in the reactor license renewal process.  Although the NRC timeline for renewal is typically 22 to 30 months, that process has unexpectedly doubled in some instances.  The Pilgrim Power Plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Vermont Yankee Power Plant in Vermont, both submitted their renewal applications five years ago today.  Both licenses are set to expire in 2012, yet no decision on renewal is imminent.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission as the timeline for the reactor renewal process has now doubled without explanation, eclipsing 60 months with no end in sight for the Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee plants.

According to Upton:
"With a dozen outstanding renewal applications, the alarming rate of delay has put thousands of good paying jobs in jeopardy and has threatened to disrupt a reliable source of clean, affordable energy for surrounding communities and businesses."
According to the NRC’s website, “License renewal is expected to take about 30 months, including the time to conduct an adjudicatory hearing, if necessary, or 22 months without a hearing.”

(House Energy & Commerce Committee Press Release)
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