NextEra Energy is seeking to extend its Wisconsin-based Point Beach Nuclear Plant licenses by 20 years, keeping the plant running through 2050.
In an application submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Monday, the energy company requested to extend the licenses of the plants’ two units, which are currently on track to expire 2030 and 2033, respectively. The reactors started operating in 1970 and 1972.
In December 2019, the commission approved license extension applications for two units at Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point Nuclear Generating plant, extending their lifetimes to 80 years for the first time. Previously, the NRC had only approved 60-year lifetimes.
In March, the NRC greenlighted the extension of the Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating System in Pennsylvania’s lifetime to 80 years.
NRC spokesman Scott Burnell said NextEra’s application will be made public after staff ensures the redacted version of the application is free of sensitive information.
“If the staff successfully completes an acceptance check of the application, they’ll set out an 18-month timeline for the full review,” he wrote in an email to RadWaste Monitor Thursday.
