Holtec International has gained approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its License Termination Plan (LTP) for the Oyster Creek nuclear plant in New Jersey. This plan sets a 2029 target for completing the site’s decommissioning process. The LTP was initially submitted in August 2024 and underwent two years of thorough NRC evaluation before being officially approved at the end of July.
Decommissioning progress more than half done
The Oyster Creek nuclear plant, a 625-megawatt electric (MWe) boiling water reactor, was shut down in September 2018. Holtec International acquired the plant's license from Exelon in 2019 and has since taken over the site's decommissioning and dismantlement process. At the moment, progress is more than halfway toward fully removing the plant from the site. Holtec's plan outlines the remaining key tasks, such as characterizing the site's current condition, conducting environmental remediation, and forecasting the costs associated with the remaining work.
SMR-300 deployment plans remain in the works
Although Holtec is focused on decommissioning the Oyster Creek site, the company has continued to express its interest in building four of its SMR-300 units there. Holtec points to recent legislative changes in New Jersey. These changes have initiated a nuclear energy procurement program. They have also removed a longstanding unofficial nuclear moratorium. These are seen as favorable developments for the project. The SMR-300 is a 340-MWe pressurized water reactor. It is an upgraded version of its earlier SMR-160 model. It uses an active coolant circulation system. This is rather than a passive one.
On August 4, Holtec announced the signing of a nonbinding Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This was with utility company Entergy and engineering firm Hyundai Engineering and Construction. The agreement creates a framework for the companies. They will jointly explore potential sites. They will assess local demand. They will evaluate commercial structures. This is for possible dual-unit SMR-300 projects in Entergy’s service territory. This region includes parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The MOA builds on an ongoing partnership between the companies. They evaluate SMR-300 deployment at the Palisades site. It supports broader plans to develop a 10 gigawatt (GW) fleet of such reactors. This is not the first collaboration between Holtec and Entergy. In 2022, the two companies signed an MOA. It was to assess the deployment of the older SMR-160. This was at several Entergy-owned nuclear reactor sites, including Arkansas Nuclear One, Grand
Jeff Dostal, vice president for the Oyster Creek site at Holtec, described the approved LTP. He called it "the road map for the final phase of decommissioning and site restoration." He stressed that the company will continue to carry out the remaining work. This will be with the same level of discipline. It will also show professionalism and commitment to safety. These have guided the process so far.