Power provider Entergy on Monday announced the start of the final transfer of spent fuel at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station from wet storage into dry casks.
The nuclear power plant closed in December 2014, and Entergy is seeking state and federal regulatory approval to sell it to NorthStar Group Services for decommissioning and site restoration. Relocating the remaining spent fuel is part of that process, according to an Entergy press release.
Entergy’s existing independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at Vermont Yankee holds 13 casks that were filled with spent fuel in 2008, 2011, and 2012. A second ISFSI is being built on the property.
The installations in total will hold 58 casks, with the fuel transfer due for completion by the end of next year. That would be two years earlier than previously anticipated, Entergy said.
The total cost of the project, encompassing loading of the remaining 45 casks and construction of the second ISFSI, is forecast at $143 million, Entergy said in March.
The fuel transfer is being conducted by Holtec International, maker of the dry storage casks being used at Vermont Yankee.
Finishing the spent fuel transfer will enable Entergy to enact additional cost savings measures for security, personnel, and maintenance, the press release states. The company did not provide specific dollar amounts.
