NRC seeks public comment on Braidwood study

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on a draft study describing the environmental impacts of renewing the operating licenses of Units 1 and 2 at the Braidwood Nuclear Plant in Braceville, Illinois.

The NRC will hold two public meetings on April 12 in Godley, Illinois, to share the draft’s findings and hear comments from the public. The meetings will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Godley Park District, 500 S. Kankakee St.

The draft study includes the NRC staff’s preliminary conclusions that the environmental impacts would not impede renewing the plant’s licenses for an additional 20 years.

There are two pressurized water reactors at the Braidwood plant. Unit 1 of the nuclear reactor is currently licensed to operate through Oct. 12, 2026. Unit 2 is licensed to operate through Dec. 18, 2027. Exelon Generation Co., the operator, submitted its renewal application on May 29, 2013.

The NRC’s review of the application includes an environmental review and a technical safety review.

The draft supplemental environmental impact statement in now available on the NRC website. Comments on the draft will be accepted through May 12.