NRC POSTPONES WASTE CONFIDENCE MEETINGS

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced late last week that it has postponed two of the Waste Confidence public meetings scheduled for this week as the government shutdown begins to affect the Commission’s day-to-day operations. The meetings, scheduled for Oct. 7 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. and Oct. 9 in Carlsbad, Calif., were meant to discuss the proposed rule and generic environment impact statement that said spent fuel can be safely stored for 60 years past the licensed life of a reactor. “Public outreach is an important part of our waste confidence effort,” NRC Chairman Allison Macfarlane said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the lack of appropriations gives us no choice but to postpone these two meetings. Once we resume full operations, we will reschedule the meetings.” The Commission will decide the fate of the rest of the public meetings on a week-to-week basis depending on the length of the shutdown.

 

The NRC announced earlier this week that it had enough carryover funding to avoid impacts for at least a week. Commission spokesman Eliot Brenner said such projections are currently holding, but it remains unclear how soon the NRC may have to partially cease operations if the government shutdown continues. The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 due to Congress’ failure to complete appropriations legislation to provide funding at the start of Fiscal Year 2014. If the shutdown continues after the NRC has exhausted its available carryover funds, the Commission has a plan to reduce staff to essential and emergency personnel.