NRC Says Indian Point 3 Can Operate Pending License Renewal

As expected, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission notified Entergy that Indian Point’s Unit 3 reactor may continue operating while it seeks license renewal.

Its 40-year license expires on Saturday.

The NRC indicated this new action in its November statement about its inspection of Indian Point.

In conjunction with Indian Point Unit 3 soon entering the Period of Extended Operations, we have completed inspections in accordance with our Reactor Oversight Process to determine whether Entergy has appropriately carried out license renewal commitments at Indian Point Unit 3. (Prior to this inspection the NRC conducted three separate license renewal inspections that have reviewed a total of 44 license renewal commitments.) The report documenting the results of the most recent inspection, which was performed last month, is attached. The inspection assessed Entergy’s activities related to updating the license renewal application; identification process for new equipment that may be subject to license renewal requirements; update of the Indian Point final safety analysis report; and the implementation of several commitments to manage the effects of aging on specific equipment. The NRC has determined that the processes are being properly implemented and the commitments reviewed have been appropriately implemented. Overall, there were no areas of concern identified.

SEE: NRC Issues Report on Indian Point 3 License Renewal

Entergy issued a statement Thursday:

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) has received the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s notice that while pursuing license renewal, it can continue to operate the Indian Point nuclear power plant’s Unit 3 under its existing license, ensuring clean and safe power for millions of New Yorkers.

Indian Point Unit 3’s initial 40-year license would have expired at midnight on Saturday,

December 12 had Entergy not applied for a renewed license eight years ago. Entergy can continue to operate the plant under the federal government’s “timely renewal” provision and until the NRC makes a final determination on the company’s license renewal request.

A final decision on Indian Point’s license renewal application is not expected for several years. NRC Staff has spent more than 37,000 hours in thorough reviews and inspections related to Indian Point’s license renewal application. The details of the NRC’s notice about timely renewal were communicated in a publicly available inspection report issued in late November, which can be viewed here: http://www.safesecurevital.com/pdf/NRC-approval-of-Unit-3-LRC.