NRC freezes nuclear power licenses until waste issues are addressed
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has put a freeze on issuing licenses for new plants and 20-year renewals for existing ones following a ruling by a federal Appeals Court.
The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled in June that the practice of allowing nuclear plants to store spent fuel rods on site doesn’t meet federal environmental standards. The decision in essence bars the awarding of any new licenses until the industry begins addressing the problem of storing nuclear waste. Today’s decision delays action on 19 licenses, including a proposed license extension for Ameren Missouri’s Callaway One nuclear reactor. It does not, however, halt the review of license applications.
Progress is being made, and what we are witnessing is the foundation upon which we shall build momentum for a nuclear-free World. This is the kind of encouragement that affirms the notion that this movement is not with out purpose, while it is easy to be dismayed one should always look to outcomes such as these to re-energize themselves for the battle of ahead.As mentioned in the latter part of the article, the application process is still in effect and available for review.
This battle won’t be easy nor will it be done in haste, but when we see the inevitable outcomes borne of apathy–corruption, negligence, disregard for both current and long-term human safety–we cannot afford not to undertake it.