Federal Appeals Court upholds license renewal for Oyster Creek

A Federal Appeals court has upheld a decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to renew Oyster Creek’s nuclear power plant operating license. A review of the license came after five environmental and citizen groups argued the NRC renewed the Lacey Township, N.J., plant’s license without sufficient information.

As the Associated Press reports, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals already ruled the NRC did not abuse its discretion when it rejected the groups’ concerns. The court also says Oyster Creek, the nation’s oldest nuclear power plant, did not need a review simply because of the nuclear disaster in Japan, even though the plants are similarly designed.

The NRC has ruled the plant can operate safely for the next 20 years, but the owners have decided to shut it down in 2019.