The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Wednesday it would give the public additional time to comment on a preliminary finding in support of licensing a facility in New Mexico for temporary storage of spent fuel from nuclear power plants.
“We’ve extended the public comment period on our draft Environmental Impact Statement for #Holtec‘s proposed spent #nuclear fuel storage site in New Mexico,” the agency announced on Twitter. “Deadline is now July 22.”
The previous deadline was May 22. New Mexico’s entire congressional delegation in March requested an extension “until the threat of covid-19 has passed and it is again safe to attend public meetings.” A group of 50 advocacy groups made a similar request that month.
In March 2017, energy technology company Holtec International applied for a 40-year NRC license for underground storage of 8,680 metric tons of radioactive used fuel. With further regulatory approvals, that could eventually be expanded to over 173,000 metric tons for 120 years.
The intent is to free the owners of nuclear power plants from having to deal with spent fuel now stored on-site at their properties.
In the March 10 draft report, NRC staff determined the proposed Holtec facility would mostly create small impacts on environmental areas including land use, geology and soils, groundwater, and air quality. “Based on its environmental review, the preliminary NRC staff recommendation is issuance of a license to Holtec authorizing the initial phase of the project, unless safety issues mandate otherwise.”
The environmental impact statement is expected to be finalized next March. Along with the separate safety report, it will contribute to the NRC’s final decision on licensing.
