The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted Indian Point Energy Center's Unit 3 reactor an extension to operate while the facility’s license-renewal application is processed, Entergy Corp. said on Thursday.
The company said a finalized decision from the NRC is not expected for several years. The plant’s initial 40-year operating license will expire on Saturday and enter a temporary operational authorization period under the NRC’s renewal provision. Indian Point Unit 2 operated under a similar arrangement in 2013.
Safety-evaluation reports completed by NRC staff said nothing was found that would preclude the issuing of operating licenses for both nuclear facilities, and the NRC said the plants have operated within regulatory expectations. The company also said environmental-impact reports also found nothing to preclude license extensions.
The company said Indian Point is expected to prevent the emission of approximately 8.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere on an annual basis. The facility generates approximately 25 percent of the electricity used in New York City and Westchester County.
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