NRC ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATIONFOR CALLAWAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANTThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced today that an application for a 20-yearrenewal of the operating license for the Callaway nuclear power plant is available for public review.The Callaway plant is a pressurized-water nuclear reactor located near Fulton, Mo., about25 miles northeast of Jefferson City. The current operating license expires on Oct. 18, 2024.The licensee, Union Electric Co., submitted the renewal application on Dec. 19 and it isavailable on the NRC website.The NRC staff is currently conducting an initial review of the application to determinewhether it contains enough information for the required formal review. If the application hassufficient information, the NRC will formally “docket,” or file, the application and will announcean opportunity to request a public hearing.The license renewal process proceeds along two paths -- one for review of safety or technical issues (10 CFR Part 54), and another for environmental issues (Part 51). An applicantmust provide NRC an evaluation that addresses the technical aspects of plant aging and describesthe ways those effects will be managed over the life of the nuclear plant structures andcomponents. An evaluation must also be made of the potential impact on the environment of theplant operating for another 20 years. In addition to this two-prong process, an adjudicatoryprocess offers the public an opportunity to request a hearing to address issues and concerns with the facility and its license renewal application.For further information, contact Brian Harris, Division of License Renewal Programs, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop O11-F1, Washington, D.C. 20555; telephone 301-415-2277 for Brian Harris.###