NRC Approves 20-Year License Renewal For PSEG Nuclear Salem Generating Station

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (

) approved PSEG Nuclear's request today to extend the operating licenses of Salem Generating Station Units 1 and 2 an additional 20 years. "The license renewal of Salem is part of our ongoing commitment to provide safe, reliable energy to New Jersey and the region," said Tom Joyce, president and chief nuclear officer of PSEG Nuclear. "Today's milestone is the direct result of our employees past and present who have played a key role in our success." PSEG Nuclear filed its request for license renewal in August 2009. During the past two years, a dedicated team coordinated site inspections and audits by the NRC, provided volumes of additional information to the regulator and participated in several meetings where the public was provided with opportunities to offer comment on the proposed license extension. "Many members of the public came out to support us during this process, speaking during the public meetings and writing letters supporting our continued operation," explained Joyce. "We are pleased that the community continues to have confidence in our operation and we will work hard to maintain their trust over the extended life of the stations." Each Salem unit has a net generating capacity of approximately 1175 megawatts. Salem Unit 1's previous 40 year operating license was set to expire in 2016 with Unit 2's operating license expiring in 2020. The plants will now be licensed through 2036 and 2040 respectively. Under the Atomic Energy Act, the NRC originally issued licenses for commercial nuclear reactors for 40 years. This timeframe was based on the amortization period generally used by electric utility companies for large capital investments. The NRC is also expected to announce a decision within the next few weeks regarding the license renewal of PSEG Nuclear's single unit Hope Creek Generating Station. Located together on a 740-acre site in Lower Alloways Creek, Salem County, the two Salem units and Hope Creek comprise the second largest commercial nuclear power facility in the United States. Together the three nuclear units generate enough power for approximately three million homes each day.