More Information Released on Nuclear Power Plant Renewal

Unit 1 and Unit 2 are up for renewal at the Limerick Generating Station. The plant submitted a license renewal application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and is looking for a 20-year extension.

Along with all of the other nuclear plants in the country, Limerick's was originally operating under a 40-year license. Unit 1 is licensed through 2024 and Unit 2 through 2029. If the extension goes through, the terms would be good until 2044 and 2049, according to a press release that was sent out on Thursday by Exelon.

"This is a significant milestone for our station, employees and area residents," said Limerick Generating Station Site Vice President Bill Maguire. "Limerick employees are dedicated to operating Limerick safely and take pride in providing clean energy to our region and are looking forward to doing so for many years to come."

In order to apply for the renewal, it took about two years to complete the 2,000-page application. The release attributed the hard work to Exelon employees and also lists general, technical and environmental information as the general bulk of the application.

According to the release, "Exelon also conducted an environmental assessment and prepared an environmental report that was submitted with the license renewal application."

Now the ball is in the NRC's court. It has about 22-30 months of reviewing to do on the application. It will also perform audits and inspections on "Limerick’s aging management programs for its plant systems." Environmental processes described in the report will be verified, as well.

"The public will have opportunities to participate in this process and the NRC will inform the public of these opportunities," the release states.

"Limerick Generating Station has been an important part of our community for more than 25 years," Limerick Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Neafcy said. "Exelon has always operated the plant with the safety of the public as their top priority and have shown that they are a good neighbor through their many charitable donations. I look forward to having Limerick Generating Station continue to be a partner in our community for the next 40 years."