Panel OKs License for N.Y. Nuclear Plant
A Nuclear Regulatory Commission panel on Friday approved the issuing of a full-power operating license for the $5.3-billion Shoreham nuclear power plant on Long Island, N.Y.
The decision by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board requires approval by the full NRC and is expected to be appealed by opponents of the plant that was completed in 1984 but has not opened.
New York Gov. Mario M. Cuomo and Suffolk County, N.Y., authorities have blocked the facility by refusing to cooperate in developing an emergency evacuation plan to be used in case of a major accident.
In its decision, the board agreed with the owner’s argument that “realism” dictated that in case of an actual accident, state and local authorities would cooperate with emergency measures planned by the company even if they did not have their own plan.
Federal regulation prevents the NRC from issuing a license to a nuclear plant unless there is an emergency plan that gives reasonable assurance the public will be safe if an accident occurs.
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