Review of Salem County nuclear plants shows no safety issues

    Safety reviews by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission found no environmental or safety reasons why Salem County’s nuclear plants can’t have a 20-year license extension.

    Salem 1, Salem 2 and Hope Creek can generate enough electricity to power three million homes and make up the second largest commercial nuclear power complex in the nation.

    PSEG submitted the renewal applications in 2009 to extend the initial 40-year operating licenses of the plants, Today’s Sunbeam reports. Licenses expire for Salem 1 in 2016, Salem 2 in 2020 and Hope Creek in 2026.

     

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    A 19-month review found no environmental or safety concerns at the plants that would preclude the 20-year extension. The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards will review the Safety Evaluation Report at a public meeting in May, and a final decision on the licenses could be made by June.

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