NRC TO DISCUSS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS FOR G

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NRC TO DISCUSS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS FOR GRAND GULF NUCLEAR PLANT LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold two public meetings on Tuesday, Jan. 31, in Port Gibson, Miss., to discuss the agency’s review process for a license renewalapplication for Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, located in Claiborne County, Miss.The sessions will also provide an opportunity for members of the public to comment on environmental issues they believe the NRC should consider during its review of the application, which seeks a license extension of 20 years.The first meeting is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Port Gibson City Hall, located at1005 College Street in Port Gibson. A second identical session is planned for the same location starting at 7 p.m. An open house will be held for one hour before the start of each meeting to allowinterested members of the public to talk informally with NRC staff on a one-on-one or small-group basis. However, formal comments on the license renewal application will only be acceptedduring the meetings. Both meetings will begin with a brief staff presentation on the NRC’sprocess for reviewing such applications. Audience members will then be able to comment on issues they believe the agency should consider as the review of the Grand Gulf application continues. Comments on potential environmental impacts of the plant’s extended operation willbe considered as the NRC staff develops an Environmental Impact Statement on the application as part of its review.“These meetings will not only provide an overview of the NRC’s license renewal reviewprocess but also a chance for the public to weigh in on issues the agency should evaluate aspotential environmental impacts of an extension of the Grand Gulf plant’s operating license,”said Dave Wrona, a branch chief in the NRC’s Division of License Renewal. “The NRC will consider all of the comments offered as the environmental assessment moves forward.”Grand Gulf is the site of one boiling-water reactor. It is owned and operated by EntergyOperations, Inc. The company submitted the Grand Gulf license renewal application on Nov. 1, 2011. The current operating license for Grand Gulf Nuclear Station expires on Nov. 1, 2024.NRC NEWSU.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOffice of Public AffairsTelephone: 301/415-8200Washington, D.C. 20555-0001E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.govBlog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.govNo. 12-009January 25, 2012
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Under NRC regulations, the original operating license for a nuclear power plant has aterm of 40 years. This license term was selected on the basis of economic and anti-trust considerations, not technical limitations. A plant license may be renewed for up to an additional20 years, provided NRC requirements are met.Members of the public may register to present comments on possible environmentalimpacts at the Jan. 31 meetings by contacting the Environmental Review Project Manager, David Drucker, by phone at 301-415-6223 or by e-mail at David.Drucker@nrc.gov. Those who wish to offer comments may also register at the meetings within 15 minutes of the start of each session.Individual oral comments may be limited by the time available, depending on the number ofpeople who register. The Grand Gulf application is available on the license renewal page on the NRC website.A copy is also available at the Harriette Person Memorial Library, 606 Main St., Port Gibson, Miss.Written comments on issues to be considered during the NRC’s review of the Grand Gulfapplication can be sent to David Drucker no later than Feb. 27.Additional information on the license renewal process is available on the NRC’s website.###