South Texas Project investors moved
a step closer to building two new reactors at the power plant near Houston
after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a favorable final
environmental impact statement Wednesday.
In a release, the NRC indicated no environmental impacts
associated with two proposed Advanced Boiling Water Reactors would preclude the
agency from issuing combined licenses for them. The reactors now await a review
by the independent Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, a final safety
evaluation report by NRC staff and a final decision by the 5-member commission.
Nuclear Innovation North America applied for the permits in
late 2007, according to an NRC release. Since then, public meetings were held
near the Bay City, Texas, site in 2008. More meetings were held after NRC issued
the draft EIS last spring.
The South Texas Project currently encompasses
two 1410 megawatt pressurized water reactors opened in the late 1980s and
operated by STP Nuclear Operating Co., according to the NRC website.