NRC ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN HEARING
ON VOGTLE EARLY SITE PERMIT APPLICATION
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is publishing a Notice of Hearing, along with the opportunity to request a role in the hearing, on Southern Nuclear Operating Co.’s application for an Early Site Permit (ESP) on property near the Vogtle nuclear power plant, about 23 miles southeast of Augusta, Ga.

The NRC staff, having determined the application contains sufficient information for the agency to formally “docket,” or file, the application, has begun its technical review. Docketing the application does not preclude requesting additional information as the review proceeds; nor does it indicate whether the Commission will grant or deny the application.

The ESP process allows an applicant to address site-related issues, such as environmental impacts, for possible future construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the site. The NRC’s formal review will address site safety, environmental protection and emergency planning issues. If the agency approves the request, Southern Nuclear could reference the permit at any time for up to 20 years in an application with the NRC for approval to begin construction of one or more nuclear reactors at the site.

The Notice of Hearing and opportunity to petition for an intervenor’s role will be published soon in the Federal Register. The deadline for petitioning to intervene is 60 days after publication of the notice. Petitions may be filed by anyone whose interest may be affected by the ESP and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding, and must meet criteria set out in the NRC’s regulations.

Petitions for leave to intervene must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. Requests may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 415-1101 or e-mail to HEARINGDOCKET@nrc.gov. A copy should also be submitted to the NRC Office of General Counsel, by facsimile to (301) 415-3725 or e-mail to OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov.

 The Vogtle Early Site Permit application is available electronically on the NRC’s Web site on this page: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-licensing/esp/vogtle.html. A copy of the application is also available at the NRC Public Document Room, located at 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD; telephone: 800/397-4209 or 301/415-4737. Local residents may view the application at the Burke County Library, 130 Highway 24 South in Waynesboro, Ga.

NRC news releases are available through a free listserv subscription at the following Web address: http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html. The NRC Home Page at www.nrc.gov also offers a Subscribe to News link in the News & Information menu. E-mail notifications are sent to subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC's Web Site.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007