Nuclear Regulatory Commission renews operating license of two Louisiana plants

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently renewed the operating licenses of the Waterford Steam Electric Station and the River Bend Nuclear Generating Station, both located in Louisiana, for an additional 20 years.

Waterford has a single pressurized-water reactor and is located in Killona, La., approximately 25 miles west of New Orleans. The operator, Entergy Operations Inc., submitted the renewal application in March 2016. Waterford’s license will now expire Dec. 18, 2044.

River Bend has a single boiling-water reactor and is located in St. Francisville, La., about 24 miles northwest of Baton Rouge. The operator, Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc., submitted the renewal application on May 31, 2017. River Bend’s license will now expire Aug. 29, 2045.

The NRC staff reviews included safety evaluations and environmental impacts reviews. The NRC’s Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards also reviewed the staff’s work.

There are now 93 commercial nuclear power reactors with renewed licenses, although four of those reactors permanently shut down since receiving their renewed licenses. Several renewal applications are currently under review.