New Jersey Benefits From Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Relicensing

"The mitigation efforts we are requiring will benefit the bay tremendously by restoring degraded tidal wetlands and resulting in significant improvements to clam and oyster beds," said Department of Environmental Protection, DEP, Commissioner Lisa Jackson.

"Equally important, this plan will dramatically improve public access to the bay through preservation of a large tract of bay front land that will be developed with a boat launch, nature center and walking trails," she said.

Plant owner AmerGen has agreed to preserve a 220 acre portion of the Finninger Farms site in Lacey. The company will enhance the land with construction of a boat launch, parking area for cars and boat trailers, construction of a nature center, and improvements to 5.4 miles of walking trails.

AmerGen will also restore 170 acres of tidal wetlands located near the Oyster Creek plant site.

In addition, the company will restore 50 acres of hard clam beds within the Sedge Islands Marine Conservation Zone adjacent to Island Beach State Park and five acres of oyster beds at a location to be determined by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The Oyster Creek nuclear power plant (Photo courtesy NRC)

Among the factors the department must consider are protection and potential enhancement of natural resources, maintenance of energy facilities, and protection of the welfare of coastal residents and visitors.

Commissioner Jackson said the nuclear generating station will still need a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge System permit for the operation of its cooling system. A permit review is underway.

The Oyster Creek nuclear power station is the oldest nuclear power plant in the country, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Comission, NRC. It is a single unit thermal boiling water reactor power plant located on an 800 acre site adjacent to the Oyster Creek in the Forked River section of Lacey Township.

Oyster Creek first came online on December 1, 1969, and is licenced to operate through April 4, 2009. AmerGen Energy and its owner, Exelon, are currently seeking a license renewal to operate for another 20 years. The NRC decision is due on January 22.

According to a survey commissioned by the operators, relicensing of the power plant is supported by the majority of citizens living in areas surrounding the plant, and by local elected officials.

However, some local opposition to re-licensing was evident at public hearings on the issue. Among those opposing relicensing, the life expectancy of the generating station is in question due to the possible corrosion of the concrete infrastructure that should protect the environment from large radioactive releases in the event of a plant accident and failure of other mechanisms.

If a leak should occur, it could displace as many as 200,000 families in Ocean, Monmouth, and Burlington counties. Citizens opposing the 20 year relicensing have indicated incremental five year reapprovals as an option.

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