Issuance by US Nuclear Regulatory Commission of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Westinghouse nuclear fuel plant in Columbia, SC is delayed again – to July 2022. Final decision on operating license extension scheduled for August 2022. Due to groundwater contamination and frequent operational problems and growing public concern, the NRC should reject the 40-year license extension.
See NRC letter of April 19, 2022:
“The NRC staff plans to publish the final environmental impact statement in July 2022, pending approval of the final cultural resources survey report from the SHPO and a determination that the historic properties evaluated in the report are not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In August 2022, the staff plans to issue the safety evaluation report and the record of decision. These projected dates are with the understanding that WEC will provide follow-up clarification on one remaining item by May 2, 2022, and with the assumption that the SHPO review and final approval of the Cultural Resources Survey Report will happen by May 16, 2022.”
The facility makes rods that are irradiated in TVA commercial reactors to produce tritium gas that goes into all US nuclear weapons, to boost the explosive power of the weapons. Thus, the facility plays a key role for military purposes. See SRS Watch report “Crossing the Line” – https://srswatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SRS-Watch-report-Westinghouse-nuclear-weapons-connection-Nov-16-2021.pdf
Photo of Westinghouse fuel plant by High Flyer