Vol. 13, No. 4 
New York Leaders Wary of Indian Point Plant Sale
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Decommissioning
Groups Urge Regulators to Reconsider Allowing SONGS Decommissioning, Spent Fuel Storage
By John Stang Two California advocacy organizations pitched their cases this week to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission against on-site storage of all spent reactor fuel at the retired San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). This was essentially both groups — Public Watchdogs and Oceansiders Against San Onofre Corruption— trying to persuade the federal regulator […]
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Commercial Low-Level Waste
US Ecology Pays $50K Fine Over 2018 Explosion in Idaho
By John Stang US Ecology said Friday it agreed to a $50,000 federal fine for safety violations related to a Nov. 17, 2018, explosion in Idaho that killed one employee and injured eight others. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration had originally proposed a fine of $66,300 for five “serious” safety-related violations that led to […]
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Decommissioning
Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Trusts Held $64.7B at End of 2018
Decommissioning trust funds for 119 operational and retired nuclear power reactors in the United States together held $64.7 billion at the end of 2018, according to the latest update from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Two power providers initially failed to demonstrate “decommissioning funding assurance” for a handful of reactors, though those issues were all […]
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Reactor Licensing & Regulation
NRC Rejects Petition on Hardening Spent Fuel Storage
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday formally rejected a petition from a California advocacy group to update federal regulations to require toughening of dry-cask storage of spent fuel at nuclear power plants. The agency said the regulatory infrastructure already in place obviates the need for the Hardened, Extended-Life, Local, Monitored Surface Storage (HELMS) approach […]
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Interim Storage & Waste Disposal
Bill Would Increase New Mexico Oversight of Radioactive Waste Storage
Legislation introduced Wednesday in the New Mexico Senate would update the responsibilities of the state’s Radioactive Waste Consultation Task Force to include oversight of commercial spent nuclear fuel storage. The task force was established in the 1978 state Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Act, largely to act as the New Mexico government’s negotiator for siting, licensing, […]
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Reactor Licensing & Regulation
Wrap Up: NRC Commissioner Wright Nominated to Full Term
The White House on Jan. 6 nominated Nuclear Regulatory Commission member David Wright to a full five-year term, through June 30, 2025. The move came as no surprise – the Trump administration had stated in November it intended to reappoint Wright. Wright’s nomination was referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. As of […]