The preferred location for a potential new plant will be adjacent to PSEG Nuclear’s Salem and Hope Creek generating stations now in operation in Lower Alloways Creek, Salem County.
An ESP is valid for 20 years and can potentially be renewed for an additional 10 to 20 years. PSEG will need to submit and receive approval from the NRC for a Combined Operating License (COL) in order to construct and operate a new plant.
The application utilizes a plant parameter envelope for the site, acknowledging that a variety of possible plant designs could be accommodated at the proposed location. This will allow PSEG to qualify the site for potential future development without selecting a specific reactor technology.
The NRC is expected to take three years to review the ESP application. The agency has issued four ESPs with a fifth application currently under review. PSEG’s application is now the sixth ESP application.
Bill Levis, president of PSEG Power, said: “This is an important first step in the regulatory process to determine if a new plant is viable. Though it is not a commitment to build, it would determine that the location we have identified for a potential new plant is suitable from a safety, environmental and emergency planning standpoint.”
