Salem unit 1’s previous 40 year operating license was set to expire in 2016 with unit 2’s operating license expiring in 2020.
Both the plants will now be licensed through 2036 and 2040 respectively, and each Salem unit has a net generating capacity of approximately 1175MW.
Under the Atomic Energy Act, the NRC originally issued licenses for commercial nuclear reactors for 40 years.
The NRC is also expected to announce a decision within the next few weeks regarding the license renewal of PSEG Nuclear’s single unit Hope Creek generating station.
Together the three nuclear units generate enough power for approximately three million homes each day.
Salem and Hope Creek are subject to an ongoing, rigorous program of oversight and inspection by the NRC, led by four full-time inspectors onsite, as well as supplemental inspectors from the NRC regional headquarters.
