NRC Approves Oyster Creek License Termination Plan

LACEY, NJ — Holtec International announced that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the License Termination Plan for the Oyster Creek Generating Station, a key step in the decommissioning of the Lacey Township nuclear site. The company said decommissioning and dismantlement of the site are more than halfway complete.

According to Holtec, the approval reflects work across its engineering, radiation protection, environmental services, work management, project controls, licensing, communications and security departments, led by Regulatory Affairs. The company said the License Termination Plan, or LTP, lays out the final phase of decommissioning and site restoration.

“We believe the NRC's approval is a testament to the quality of our technical work, the strength of our regulatory engagement, and our culture of safety and accountability throughout the decommissioning process,” said Oyster Creek Site Vice President Jeff Dostal. “The approved LTP provides the roadmap for the final phase of decommissioning and site restoration. We will continue to execute the remaining work with the same discipline, professionalism, and focus on safety that have guided the project to date.”

Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, the plant's original name, began producing electricity in December 1969, according to the company. The plant was the oldest operating commercial nuclear power plant in the United States until it permanently shut down in September 2018 after nearly 49 years of operation. Over its lifetime, Oyster Creek produced more than 192 terawatt hours of carbon-free electricity, according to Holtec.

Holtec also pointed to possible future development at the Oyster Creek site. According to the company, recent pro-nuclear legislation in New Jersey and what it described as longstanding community support for nuclear energy have created a favorable environment for the return of advanced nuclear power in the state.

The company said the site is planned to feature four SMR-300 units with an expected combined capacity of 1,360 MWe. Holtec said that project may support an estimated 4,000 construction jobs and more than 400 permanent positions, while generating additional local supply chain jobs. The company also said the project is expected to bring increased tax revenue, infrastructure investment and the potential integration of AI data centers.