NRC Meeting in Gaffney, SC

The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) will hold a public meeting to discuss the review process for expected nuclear reactor applications. The meetings are being held to discuss how the agency will review expected Combined License (COL) applications for new reactors in the state.

Meeting Schedule:

• Gaffney, S.C:
  Thursday, August 30th
  .7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  The meeting will be held at the Restoration Church , 1905 N Limestone St Gaffney It concerns an expected application from Duke Energy to build and operate two AP1000 reactors at a site in Cherokee County.

They hope none of us go. Let's dissappoint them.

"We're expecting these applications and several others by the end of this year, and we'll be ready to review them when they come in," said William Borchardt, Director of the NRC's Office of New Reactors. "These meetings will help the communities near the sites understand how we'll go through this process and how they can participate and stay informed."

NRC staff presentations will describe the overall Combined License review process, which includes safety and environmental assessments, as well as how the public can participate in the process. The NRC will host an open house for two hours prior to each meeting so members of the public have the opportunity to talk informally with agency staff. A COL, if issued, is authorization from the NRC to construct and, with conditions, operate a nuclear power plant at a specific site and in accordance with laws and regulations.

More information on the NRC's new reactor licensing process is available on the agency's Web site. The AP1000 is one of four NRC-certified reactor designs that can be referenced in a COL. It is a 1,000 MWe advanced pressurized water reactor that incorporates passive safety systems and simplified system designs. The AP1000 is similar to another certified design, the AP600, but uses a longer reactor vessel to accommodate longer fuel, and also includes larger steam generators and a larger pressurizer.

Allison Fisher Organizer- Energy Program Public Citizen (202) 454-5176
Allison Peeler - Carolina Peace Resource Center (864) 357-8965