If approved, the requested license amendment would give PSEG permission to generate and transfer Cobalt-60 under the NRC’s regulations for “byproduct” material. The Cobalt-60, as  a radioactive material licensed by the NRC and Agreement States, is used in applications such as cancer treatment and for irradiation sterilization of foods and medical devices

 - Source NRC -

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is seeking public comment and offering the opportunity to request a hearing regarding a request from PSEG Nuclear for a pilot program to explore the production of Cobalt-60 at the Hope Creek Generating Station, located about 18 miles south of Wilmington, Del.
 
If approved, the requested license amendment would give PSEG permission to generate and transfer Cobalt-60 under the NRC’s regulations for “byproduct” material. The Cobalt-60, as  a radioactive material licensed by the NRC and Agreement States, is used in applications such as cancer treatment and for irradiation sterilization of foods and medical devices.

PSEG seeks permission to alter the reactor’s core by inserting up to 12 modified fuel assemblies with rods containing Cobalt-59 pellets, which would absorb neutrons during reactor operation and become Cobalt-60. PSEG’s pilot program would gather data to verify that the modified fuel assemblies perform satisfactorily in service prior to use on a production basis. PSEG has informed the NRC that if the amendment is granted, the company plans to insert the modified assemblies during Hope Creek’s planned fall 2010 refueling outage.

The NRC staff review of the amendment request will include evaluating the potential effects of the modified fuel assemblies on plant operation and accident scenarios. The amendment will only be approved if the staff concludes the modified core will continue to meet the agency’s safety requirements.

The NRC issued a Federal Register notice on March 2, (http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a100302c.html ) seeking public comment and offering an opportunity to request a hearing on the license amendment request. Comments should be submitted by April 1, via mail to the Chief, Rulemaking and Directives Branch (RDB), TWB-05-B01M, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or via fax to the RDB at 301-492-3446. Comments should cite the publication date and page number of the Federal Register notice.
 
Petitions requesting a hearing must be filed by May 3 by anyone whose interest may be affected by the license amendment and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding. The notice includes detailed instructions for requesting a hearing through the NRC’s E-filing system’s electronic submittal page at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html . For specific guidance and instructions on public involvement in hearings visit link at: http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/adjudicatory/hearing.html.