Lacey Postpones Oyster Creek Nuclear Waste Hearing To Fit Crowd

LACEY, NJ — Lacey officials postponed a hearing about nuclear waste storage at the former Oyster Creek Generating Station. The crowd size was too large to meet coronavirus restrictions on indoor meetings, so the hearing will occur Aug. 24.

Holtec International, which is decommissioning the shuttered nuclear power plant, was set to present to the Planning Board a proposal to expand its spent-fuel storage area. The decommissioning process has raised concerns from residents and officials, and the Municipal Building couldn't fit everyone who wanted to hear or speak about the issue.

"We are planning to hold (the special Aug. 24 meeting) at Gille Park Pavilion in order to allow for proper social distancing and more participation by those that wish to attend," said Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh.

Oyster Creek already contains steel and concrete casks of nuclear waste — each containing spent nuclear fuel rods that have powered the plant since it began operating in 1969. Spent fuel rods can take years to cool off in the plant's spent fuel cooling pool.

The last of the fuel rods must be moved to storage casks and placed alongside Oyster Creek's spent-fuel casks to empty the pool and finish dismantling the facility.

Governor Phil Murphy reduced New Jersey's limits on indoor gatherings from 100 to 25 people last week.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Lacey Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.