WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, filed an amendment to the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020 on Friday that would prevent the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from approving a license transfer for a commercial nuclear power reactor if there is an adjudication pending on the license transfer proceeding.
Her action is in direct response to the NRC’s approval of the transfer of the Indian Point nuclear power plants to Holtec once the facilities are completely shut down in April 2021.
“This amendment is an important and necessary reform to the way the NRC does business. After failing to substantively respond repeated calls by the Congressional delegation to fully address the state and local stakeholders’ petitions and hold a public hearing, it is clear the NRC’s business as usual approach needs to change. Congress must codify protections necessary to ensure a fair and transparent process where local residents are able to make their voices and concerns heard,” said Gillibrand. “By approving the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act without considering my amendment and others that I cosponsored to address nuclear safety and provide adequate funding for communities with decommissioned reactors and spent fuel storage facilities, the Environment and Public Works Committee missed an opportunity to strengthen and protect our communities hosting nuclear plants and spent fuel storage facilities. Nevertheless, I remain undeterred and will continue working to address all of these issues as the bill moves to the Senate floor.”
Last week, Gillibrand and her congressional colleagues issued a joint statement denouncing the NRC staff approval of the application to transfer Indian Point’s licenses from Entergy to Holtec International. The license transfer would allow the company to use funds from the plant’s nuclear decommissioning trusts for spent fuel storage and site restoration.
The Senator criticized what she said was the NRC’s lack of transparency after repeated requests for a public hearing on the approval of the Indian Point license transfer.
