The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is preparing to accept public comments and requests for intervention for its review of the license transfer application for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Massachusetts.
Pilgrim is scheduled to close by June 1 after nearly 47 years of service.
Owner Entergy wants to sell the single-reactor facility on Capd Cod this year to Holtec International, which would assume responsibility for decommissioning, site restoration, and spent fuel management. The New Jersey energy technology company says it can largely complete cleanup work by 2025.
As part of the sale process, the companies in November applied for NRC approval to transfer Pilgrim’s operations license and license for its spent fuel storage pad.
Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication of a Federal Register notice, while requests for a hearing will be taken for 20 days. The notice will be published only after the partial shutdown of the federal government ends.
Requests for hearings and intervention in the proceeding must explain why the party has standing to intercede and raise specific contentions against the license application, according to the NRC notice.
“Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene. Parties have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the hearing with respect to resolution of that party’s admitted contentions, including the opportunity to present evidence, consistent with the NRC’s regulations, policies, and procedures,” the regulator said.
There are several means for submitting comments: at regulations.gov, Docket ID NRC-2018-0279; by fax to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 301-415-1101: by mail to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff; or in person to 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md.
