NRC: News Release - 2004-003 - NRC to Hold Hearing on Early Site Permit for Grand Gulf Site; Offers Opportunity to Request Participation

				Search Options
Index \| Site Map \| FAQ \| Facility Info \| Reading Rm \| New \| Help \| Glossary \| Contact Us

NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001	E-mail: opa@nrc.gov
www.nrc.gov

No. 04-003

January 13, 2004

NRC TO HOLD HEARING ON EARLY SITE PERMIT FOR
GRAND GULF SITE; OFFERS OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST PARTICIPATION
Printable Version

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a hearing on an Early Site Permit application from System Energy Resources, Inc. (SERI), a subsidiary of Entergy, for the Grand Gulf site near Port Gibson, Mississippi. Interested persons may request participation in the hearing.

The Early Site Permit process allows an applicant to resolve site-related issues, such as environmental impacts, for possible future construction and operation of a nuclear power plant. SERI’s application was filed October 21, 2003. If approved, the permit would give SERI up to 20 years to decide whether to build one or more nuclear plants on the site, and to file an application with the NRC for approval to begin construction.

The NRC staff has conducted an initial review of the application and determined it is acceptable for docketing. The full technical review of the application will address site safety, environmental protection, and plans for coping with emergencies, independent of the review of a specific nuclear plant design. Following that review and issuance of a safety evaluation and environmental impact statement, an NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will conduct a hearing on the matter.

The deadline for requesting participation in the hearing is 30 days from the date of publication of a Federal Register Notice, expected shortly. By that date, requests must be filed by anyone whose interest might be affected by the application and who wishes to participate as a party to the proceeding. The requests should include why the person filing should be permitted to intervene, as well as the specific aspects of the proceeding on which the person wishes to intervene.

More detailed information on the hearing process and requirements for petitions requesting intervention are contained in the Federal Register Notice, and are available on the agency’s Web site at this address: http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/adjudicatory/hearing.html. Requests for leave to intervene in the hearing must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff.

A copy of the SERI Early Site Permit application is available through the NRC’s Web site at this address: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-licensing/esp/grand-gulf.html.

The document is also available for inspection at the NRC’s Public Document Room in Rockville, Maryland. A copy of the application has been provided to the Harriette Person Memorial Library in Port Gibson.

For further information, contact Stephen Koenick, Senior Project Manager, via telephone at 301-415-1239 or via mail at: New, Research and Test Reactors Program, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop O-4D9A, Washington, DC 20555.