With an extension granted to the Fermi 2 Nuclear Plant in Michigan, the number of U.S. nuclear power plants with 20-year extensions on their operating licenses has now reached 87, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced.
Fermi 2 is a boiling water reactor located in Newport, Mich., about 25 miles northeast of Toledo, Ohio. It is operated by DTE Electric Company, which submitted a renewal application April 30, 2014.
The NRC's review for license extensions operates on two tracks covering safety and environmental concerns. In this case, a safety evaluation was completed July 12, while a supplemental impact statement was issued on Sept. 16.
With the license extension, the plant is now permitted to operate through March 20, 2045.
On Dec. 14, the NRC authorized the director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to issue the renewed license despite a pending motion before the NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to reopen the adjudicatory hearing.
The NRC noted that the license extension does not reflect a judgment on that motion or a proposed new contention challenging the renewal.
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