Nuclear Plant Gains Decades for Safe Decommissioning Cleanup
Published Date: 12/31/2025
Notice
Summary
Constellation Energy got the green light to take more than 60 years to finish cleaning up the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Unit 1 after it stopped running. This means they can safely wrap up decommissioning without rushing, keeping things safe and sound. The exemption was officially approved on December 23, 2025, with no extra costs announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Decommissioning Deadline Pushed to 2074
The NRC granted Constellation a one-time exemption on December 23, 2025 to finish decommissioning Peach Bottom Unit 1 later than the usual 60-year limit. Unit 1 must be decommissioned no later than 20 years after permanent shutdown of either Peach Bottom Unit 2 or 3 (whichever is earlier), and in no case beyond the year 2074.
SAFSTOR Maintained; NRC Inspections Continue
With the exemption, Peach Bottom Unit 1 will remain in SAFSTOR (long-term storage) and the licensee must update its SAFSTOR program. The NRC will continue inspections and monitoring beyond 60 years, including radiological surveys, monitoring wells, groundwater intrusion checks, and inspections of the Unit 1 containment.
Delay Protects Offsite Power Reliability
The NRC agreed that decommissioning Unit 1 on the original schedule could affect offsite and onsite power systems used by operating Units 2 and 3 (including the 220-08 230 kV line and protective relays). The exemption to delay decommissioning is explicitly supported because it reduces risk to those power systems and to public health and safety.
No Environmental Assessment Required
The NRC determined the exemption is categorically excluded under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25), so no environmental assessment or environmental impact statement will be prepared for this exemption decision.
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