Entergy's Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Gets New 20-Year License

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today announced its decision to renew the operating license for Entergy's Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass. The approval means the NRC has concluded there is no safety or environmental issue that precludes renewal of the plant's license to operate for an additional 20 years. Entergy Nuclear filed Pilgrim's license renewal application on Jan. 25, 2006, making this the longest license review on record. The plant's original 40-year license was scheduled to expire on June 8, 2012. Pilgrim's renewed license enables the plant to operate until 2032. John Herron, president, CEO and chief nuclear officer of Entergy Nuclear, said, "The NRC conducted extremely thorough safety and environmental reviews of Pilgrim's application for license renewal and concluded the station can safely operate another 20 years. The decision ensures Pilgrim's generation of safe, clean, reliable and low-cost energy will continue to benefit the New England area, as will the plant's existing 650 jobs and its $135 million in annual economic impact."