A recent court ruling addressing spent-fuel storage at nuclear plants will likely delay 20-year license extensions at U.S. nuclear plants and might also slow down licensing for new reactors, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko said.
Last month, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the NRC must conduct a new environmental analysis of a 2010 rule change upping the allowable storage time for spent fuel at nuclear plants from 30 years to 60 years after their licenses expire. Speaking at a Platts Energy Podium event Thursday, Jaczko said the ruling might delay reactor license extensions by “a few years.” But, he noted, the agency is likely to allow plants to operate beyond their original 40-year licenses if their relicensing applications are pending. He also said applicants for combined construction licenses could see a delay, Platts reported.
The event was billed as Jaczko's last press conference as NRC chairman. He announced his resignation in May and will soon be replaced by the appointment and recent Senate confirmation of Allison Macfarlane.