NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : NRC Approves Plan for Older Reactors

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission unanimously approved the framework for extending the lives of aging nuclear power plants beyond the expiration of their 40-year licenses. Renewing expired licenses of old reactors has been a top priority of the nuclear industry as it becomes increasingly apparent that no new commercial reactors will be built anytime soon. Under the new NRC rules, some plants would be allowed to operate for up to an additional 20 years, although NRC officials have said they expect most license renewal applications to be for a considerably shorter period.