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NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION II 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 23T85, Atlanta, GA 30303

LICENSING BOARD TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS ON HARRIS PLANT SPENT FUEL POOL LICENSE AMENDMENT

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will hear oral arguments on December 7 regarding the Orange County, North Carolina, Board of Commissioners' contention that an environmental impact statement is required for a request by Carolina Power & Light that the NRC amend the operating license for the Harris nuclear plant to place two unused spent fuel pools in service. The Harris plant is located southwest of Raleigh and southeast of Orange County.

In December 1998, CP&L filed for a license amendment from the NRC that would allow the company to use the additional fuel pools and the Orange County Board of Commissioners petitioned to intervene. The ASLB, which is composed of independent judges who conduct formal hearings on licensing actions, granted the Commissioners' petition and has been in the process of conducting hearings on the case.

On December 7, the ASLB will hear oral arguments from CP&L, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and the NRC staff related to the environmental impact statement contention.

The oral arguments will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Jane S. McKimmon Conference Center, North Carolina State University, at the corner of Gorman Street and Western Boulevard in Raleigh, and will be open for public observation.

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