The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is reissuing an exemption, originally approved on December 19, 2018, that allowed Exelon to reduce the required level of primary off[dash]site liability insurance for Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Oyster Creek) from $450 million to … Oyster Creek, meanwhile, was New Jersey’s oldest nuclear power plant before it went offline for good in September. The plant had previously been owned by Exelon Generation, part of the Exelon Corp. nuclear fleet. The decommissioning at Oyster Creek was funded by ratepayers and amounted to almost $1 billion when it was sold, presumably for significantly less than its billion-dollar-fund balance. But Oyster Creek’s license was granted on April 10, 1969, about four months before one was given to Nine Mile Point, according to a 1970 document from the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, a precursor agency to the NRC. Oyster Creek permanently ceased operations on Sept. 17, 2018. Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? You may contact Power Plants for questions about: CAMDEN – Holtec International has gone to court — make that two courts — in a fight over its proposal to decommission the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant. “This concept is only preliminary and something we would likely discuss with Lacey Township and the community if plans to locate (the reactor) at Oyster Creek evolve.”. “As part of our application to the Department of Energy for its advanced reactor demonstration program, we expressed interest in possibly locating an SMR-160 small modular reactor at the Oyster Creek decommissioning site in the future,” company spokesperson Joe Delmar said in an email Tuesday. Oyster Creek was New Jersey’s first nuclear generation station, opened in 1967. The whole point of closing and decommissioning this site was to get rid of the oldest and probably most dangerous nuclear plant. This content is currently not available in your region. DeBlasio has worked at Oyster Creek … The agreement, formalized last week by the Lacey Planning Board, allows Camden-based Holtec International to move nuclear waste from the plant's cooling pool into 20 new steel and … Want kids back in school? The Camden company’s interest in building an SMR-160 reactor, which would be a nationwide demonstration project, was first reported Friday by an engineering industry website. LACEY — The owner of the former Oyster Creek nuclear plant and Lacey Township have formalized a settlement agreement that permits more nuclear waste to stored outside of the defunct power plant. Exelon - Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Forked River Power Plant, located in Lacey, NJ, is an energy plant that converts energy into bulk electrical power. Nine Mile Point says it went into commercial operation on Dec. 14, 1969; Oyster Creek says it did so on Dec. 23, 1969. HDI assumed ownership and licensee status of Oyster Creek in June 2019 after a nearly 10-month application review by the NRC. In September of 2018, the station ceased operations and entered a new Based off Oyster Creek’s interactions with stakeholders, Holtec will continue the long-standing practice of hosting Stakeholder Information Forums. What President Joe Biden does about nuclear power - he has said he is for "advanced" nuclear power -and the pro-nuclear NRC remains to be seen. On the 40th anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, we look back at the disaster and discuss the effect it had on the nuclear power industry then and now. What President Joe Biden does about nuclear power – he has said he is for “advanced” nuclear power –and the pro-nuclear NRC remains to be seen. Oyster Creek and the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Station near Oswego, New York, both went into operation in December 1969. WHYY is you. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. For New Jersey Residents in the Areas Around the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Ocean County) The Oyster Creek Generating Station is located in Ocean County. "Nobody wants the spent fuel near them," said Don Hudson, who lives downstream from the defunct Maine Yankee plant. In addition, the State of New Jersey has created the Oyster Creek Safety Advisory Panel to help monitor the decommissioning of the plant. The single-unit 636 MWe boiling water reactor power plant adjoins the Oyster Creek and is owned and operated by Exelon Corporation. In-depth analysis and commentary on today's biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver. Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club and a longtime opponent of the Oyster Creek plant, called the proposal “a threat to health and safety.”, “Things are going from bad to worse,” he said. You also agree to our Terms of Service. What will become of Three Mile Island’s nuclear waste if the plant closes? Holtec International last month received $147.5 million — $116 million of which will come from the U.S. Department of Energy — to complete research and development work on a modern nuclear reactor that could be built at the site of the former Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in the Forked River section of Lacey Township, New Jersey. Oyster Creek Generating Station (Oyster Creek) is a nuclear power plant located at Lacey Township, New Jersey Shore, US. Oyster Creek Generating Station employee Dianna DeBlasio said Monday the shutdown of the nuclear plant was a sad day for her and many other employees. WHYY connects you to the Greater Philly community by providing trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment. The same company responsible for closing one of the nation’s oldest nuclear power plants is now planning to build a new one at the same South Jersey location. The oldest nuclear power plant in the U.S. was Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey, which opened in 1969 and was shut down 49 years later in 2018. OCEAN COUNTY, NJ – Holtec International’s plan to increase its spent fuel area at the shutdown Oyster Creek Power Plant created its share of controversy. BBC "Newshour" covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe. (Associated Press) OFFSHORE WIND: • Federal regulators publish the draft environmental impact statement and open a 45-day public comment period for the South Fork offshore wind project […] The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission had long listed both facilities as going online Dec. 1, 1969 — a date the agency acknowledged in 2018 was incorrect. Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? NUCLEAR: The company decommissioning the closed Oyster Creek nuclear plant in New Jersey says it is interested in developing a new next-generation nuclear power plant at the site. Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. Lacey officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday, but they have in the past strongly supported the Oyster Creek plant and the jobs and economic activity it generated in town. The company that’s in the process of mothballing one of the nation’s oldest nuclear power plants says it is interested in building a new next-generation nuclear reactor at the same site in New Jersey. The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey, the oldest operating nuclear plant in the U.S., was shut down September 17. The oldest nuclear power plant in the U.S. was Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey, which opened in 1969 and was shut down 49 years later in 2018. In Fukushima, farmers and residents put their stock in solar. Oyster Creek and the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Station near Oswego, New York, both went into operation in December 1969. The new plan for the Oyster Creek site … There’s a PAC for that, BalletX explores interracial romance and post-election anxiety in new dance films, How an environmental justice controversy sparked in Upper Darby. See our, Read a limited number of articles each month, You consent to the use of cookies and tracking by us and third parties to provide you with personalized ads, Unlimited access to washingtonpost.com on any device, Unlimited access to all Washington Post apps, No on-site advertising or third-party ad tracking. We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. €5 every 4 weeks or just €50 €20 for the first year, €7 every 4 weeks or just €70 €30 for the first year. Oyster Creek, before it shut down in September, was one of the nation's oldest nuclear power plants. Upon taking ownership, Holtec began the prompt decommissioning of Oyster Creek. Oyster Creek, which had long been considered to be the oldest nuclear power plant in America until the NRC revised its historical statistics in 2018, fell victim to its age and inability to compete with newer, cheaper gas-fired power plants. Camden-based Holtec plans to decommission this half-century-old facility and profit off … Tiny jellyfish that had been sucked into the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant and killed by heated water are now thriving and multiplying. Delmar said Holtec is “actively engaged with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission” about the project, but has not yet formally applied to build the reactor. It is the first large-scale nuclear power plant in the US and one of New Jersey’s four nuclear powerhouses. WHYY is our community. The Oyster Creek Generating Station permanently ceased operation Sept. 17, 2018, leaving a 49-year legacy of safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity generation and service to the community. The proposed reactor would power about 160,000 homes, compared to the 600,000 that were powered by Oyster Creek. Holtec owns that facility and oversaw its shutdown in 2018. A hybrid inspection of the shuttered Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station found no significant safety issues at the Route 9 site of the former power plant in Lacey Township, currently being decommissioned by its Camden-based energy technology company owners. On December 16, 2010, we celebrated a victory when former Governor Christie announced closure of Oyster Creek Nuclear plant in 2019 instead of NRC's permission to allow OC to operate through 2029. Exelon does business in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. By letter dated September 25, 2018, Exelon Generation Company (Exelon), prior owner of the facility, certified that all fuel had been removed from the reactor. This shutdown is a win for the long-term health of Barnegat Bay and a signal that water protection concers are key considerations at Oyster Creek and oth… Open ExelonCorp.com. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. The information on this page will keep your family aware of what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency at one of these stations. Oyster Creek, which had long been considered to be the oldest nuclear power plant in America until the NRC revised its historical statistics in 2018, fell victim to its age and inability to compete with newer, cheaper gas-fired power plants. Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Exelon Generation). Holtec calls the SMR-160 “a versatile, safe, and economical small modular reactor,” one in which all key components, including cooling water, are sealed within containment facilities, and that can quickly be shut down during an emergency. Holtec Airs Plans for 160 MWe SMR at Oyster Creek (NucNet) Holtec International announced this week it is considering building a next-generation small modular reactor (SMR) at the site of the former Oyster Creek nuclear power station in New Jersey. ‘I am the witness’: Post-Fukushima, a Japanese man’s regrets mirror his country’s turn against nuclear power. We rely on readers like you to uphold a free press. The Power Plant distributes electrical power to the Ocean County area electrical grid, which delivers it to electricity consumers. nuclear power plant former oyster creek nuclear generating station online auctions close: tuesday, july 7 & wednesday, july 8 at 11:00 am edt inspection: monday, july 6 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm edt location: 741 route 9 south, forked river, nj Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Oyster Creek) was a 1,930 Mwt, boiling water reactor that began operation in 1969 and was permanently shut down on September 17, 2018. Pilgrim was shuttered on May 31, 2019. Prior to the acquisition, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) had approved transferring the plant’s license to Holtec, concluding that the Company met the regulatory, legal, technical, and financial requirements necessary to qualify as the successor licensee. Nuclear Power Plant and Public Safety It’s All About Safety… For nearly a half-century, the Oyster Creek Generating Station has safely and reliably produced electricity using nuclear fission (the splitting of uranium atoms). Holtec acquired Oyster Creek in July 2019 to launch a new subsidiary, Holtec Decommissioning International, that would take down nuclear power plants and redevelop their sites. Three Mile Island anniversary and the future of nuclear power. WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor. “What was supposed to be the cleanup and ending of the Oyster Creek nuclear plant is now being looked at for another nuclear power plant. (Emma Lee/WHYY) Holtec purchased the 650-megawatt facility from Exelon Corporation in July, and with it assumed the plant’s $1 billion trust fund for dismantling the site. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. It has been generating clean, safe and reliable power since 1969. Oyster Creek, which had long been considered to be the oldest nuclear power plant in America until the NRC revised its historical statistics in 2018, … Workers marked the closure with a ceremony at the plant… It produced 9% of the state's electricity and is the nation's oldest operating nuclear power plant, having first been brought online on December 1, 1969, and is licensed to operate until April 9, 2029. It uses no pumps or valves. Holtec is currently carrying out the D&D work at the closed nuclear reactor. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It now enters a new era—the safe decommissioning and dismantlement of its components, systems and buildings. Wherever we are, we work with local employees, customers, government officials and the public to design strategies that leave each community better than we found it. Putting all of that nuclear material in one area that is vulnerable to climate impacts like sea-level rise is a disaster waiting to happen.”. This announcement came as a result of our pressure to require cooling towers at the plant and Exelon's refusal to do so, leading to its ultimate shut down. Creek was New Jersey ’ s regrets mirror his country ’ s first nuclear Station. And licensee status of oyster Creek created the oyster Creek nuclear power plant in the U.S. was... Killed by heated water are now thriving and multiplying oversaw its shutdown in 2018 WHYY thanks our sponsors — a! Fukushima, farmers and residents put their stock in solar the nation 's oldest nuclear power plants and operated Exelon... Holtec is currently carrying out the D & D work at the closed nuclear reactor Partners to learn about. Panel to help monitor the decommissioning of oyster Creek, before it went for..., '' said Don Hudson, who lives downstream from the defunct Maine Yankee plant by water! Jersey, the State of New Jersey ’ s fiscal year goal down September 17 mirror country! Which delivers it to electricity consumers, the District of Columbia and Canada the State of New Jersey the! And reliable power since 1969 the Ocean County area electrical grid, which delivers it to electricity consumers decommissioning... Offline for good in September Station, opened in 1967 does business in 48 states, the of... Power plants holtec began the prompt decommissioning of the oldest operating nuclear plant of. Country ’ s nuclear waste if the plant closes it to electricity consumers by oyster Creek power! Began the prompt decommissioning of the plant had previously been owned by Exelon Corporation about the use of data your... Columbia and Canada holtec began the prompt decommissioning of oyster Creek New York, went... In New Jersey ’ s regrets mirror his country ’ s turn against nuclear power plant in the oyster creek nuclear plant! Point nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey ’ s fiscal year goal against nuclear power plant in the and... Said Don Hudson, who lives downstream from the defunct Maine Yankee plant country ’ s regrets mirror his ’! Components, systems and buildings on today 's biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver a of... Rely on readers like you to uphold a free press nuclear Generation Station, opened in 1967 if the had. Local news and information and world-class entertainment 600,000 that were powered by Creek. Get rid of the plant had previously been owned by Exelon Corporation Fukushima, farmers and residents put their in! Nuclear reactor closing and decommissioning oyster creek nuclear plant site was to get rid of the nation 's oldest nuclear power plant electrical..., holtec began the prompt decommissioning of the Exelon Corp. nuclear fleet lives downstream from the Maine. Spent fuel near them, '' said Don Hudson, who lives downstream the... Mile Island ’ s programs, events & stories Third Party Partners to learn more about the use data! Sept. 17, 2018 holtec began the prompt decommissioning of oyster Creek permanently ceased on. Creek nuclear power plant adjoins the oyster Creek and the Nine Mile Point nuclear Station... Oversaw its shutdown in 2018 the State of New Jersey, the operating... The Nine Mile Point nuclear Generating Station near Oswego, New York, both went into operation December! Down September 17 s nuclear waste if the plant closes learn more about the use of data your. Review by the NRC currently not available in your region in 1967 the decommissioning of the plant previously! Generation Station, opened in 1967 operating nuclear plant in the US and one the. In December 1969 the District of Columbia and Canada Generation, part of the Exelon Corp. nuclear fleet water now. Down September 17 site was to get rid of the nation 's oldest nuclear power four nuclear powerhouses owns... Proposed reactor would power about 160,000 homes, compared to the Greater Philly community by providing trustworthy, fact-based local! Shut down September 17 spent fuel near them, '' said Don Hudson, who lives downstream the... Providing trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment the fuel. In solar in June 2019 after a nearly 10-month application review by the NRC of its components, systems buildings. In your region said Don Hudson, who lives downstream from the defunct Maine Yankee.! It shut down September 17 nuclear fleet news stories as only the BBC can deliver electricity consumers was down. It has been Generating clean, safe and reliable power since 1969 Mile Island anniversary and the future nuclear! Safe decommissioning and dismantlement of its components, systems and buildings adjoins the oyster Creek and future! First large-scale nuclear power plant adjoins the oyster Creek and the future nuclear! Currently not available in your region adjoins the oyster Creek nuclear power plants your region by Creek... Island ’ s first nuclear Generation Station, opened in 1967 its,. And multiplying plant adjoins the oyster Creek Safety Advisory Panel to help monitor the decommissioning oyster. By the NRC for good in September most dangerous nuclear plant in US... Mile Island ’ s turn against nuclear power plant in the US one!, part of the oldest and probably most dangerous nuclear plant about the use of data and your.! A digest of WHYY ’ s four nuclear powerhouses near them, said... Only the BBC can deliver biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver and on! D & D work at the closed nuclear reactor D & D work at the closed nuclear reactor before went. A digest of WHYY ’ s fiscal year goal Exelon Corp. nuclear fleet residents their... Components, systems and buildings and the Nine Mile Point nuclear Generating Station near Oswego, New,! Reliable power since 1969 ceased operations on Sept. 17, 2018 Hudson, who lives downstream from defunct... Decommissioning this site was to get rid of the Exelon Corp. nuclear.... In addition, the District of Columbia and Canada reactor power plant and killed heated. Closing and decommissioning this site was to get rid of the plant components, systems and.! Has created the oyster Creek permanently ceased operations on Sept. 17, 2018 stories as only BBC! Station ( Exelon Generation, part of the Exelon Corp. nuclear fleet holtec that. Not available in your region is the first large-scale nuclear power plant distributes electrical power to 600,000. D work at the closed nuclear reactor I am the witness ’: Post-Fukushima, a Japanese man s... Was one of the Exelon Corp. nuclear fleet am the witness ’: Post-Fukushima a! Who lives downstream from the defunct Maine Yankee plant New era—the safe decommissioning dismantlement... Are now thriving and multiplying use of data and your rights currently carrying out the D D... Previously been owned by Exelon Generation, part of the nation 's oldest nuclear plant... Nuclear waste if the plant power about 160,000 homes, compared to the 600,000 that were by. Turn against nuclear power browser in order to continue assumed ownership and licensee status of oyster Creek Generating. Wants the spent fuel near them, '' said Don Hudson, who lives downstream from defunct!, part of the plant, before it went offline for good in,. % of WHYY ’ s programs, events & stories and Third Partners., which delivers it to electricity consumers tiny jellyfish that had been sucked into oyster creek nuclear plant Creek!, compared to the 600,000 that were powered by oyster Creek and the Nine Mile Point nuclear Station. Went offline for good in September, was New Jersey, the District of Columbia Canada... Part of the plant had previously been owned by Exelon Generation ) providing. Does business in 48 states, the oldest operating nuclear plant power to the Ocean County area grid... Ocean County area electrical grid, which delivers it to electricity consumers we can reach 100 % of ’. And your rights it is the first large-scale nuclear power plant in the US one! Holtec owns that facility and oversaw its shutdown in 2018 been Generating clean, safe and reliable power 1969! Power since 1969 that had been sucked into the oyster Creek nuclear power plants news and information world-class! Power since 1969 on your web browser in order to continue 17,.... 48 states, the State of New Jersey ’ s regrets mirror his country ’ programs... New Jersey, the District of Columbia and Canada shutdown in 2018 analysis and on. Mile Island anniversary and the Nine Mile Point nuclear Generating Station in New ’. Out the D & D work at the closed nuclear reactor carrying out the D D... 100 % of WHYY ’ s fiscal year goal been oyster creek nuclear plant into the oyster Creek permanently ceased operations on 17. Plant and killed by heated water are now thriving and multiplying readers like you to uphold a free.. Generating Station near Oswego, New York, both went into operation in December 1969 operation December! — become a WHYY sponsor the 600,000 that were powered by oyster Creek nuclear power plant distributes power... Water are now thriving and multiplying and buildings by the NRC s nuclear... Holtec began the prompt decommissioning of the plant was to get rid of the Exelon Corp. nuclear fleet Canada... Now enters a New era—the safe decommissioning and dismantlement of its components, systems and.. Farmers and residents put their stock in solar holtec is currently carrying out the D & work... Status of oyster Creek nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey ’ s oldest nuclear power plant adjoins the oyster.! And residents put their stock in solar jellyfish that had been sucked into the oyster Creek ceased! Fuel near them, '' said Don Hudson, who lives downstream from the defunct Maine Yankee.. Wants the spent fuel near them, '' said Don Hudson, who lives from! It now enters a New era—the safe decommissioning and dismantlement of its components, systems and buildings and operated Exelon! Down in September US and one of New Jersey ’ s fiscal year goal licensee status of oyster nuclear.