Duke Energy Nuclear Plant Parries Flooding Risk Concerns at NRC

Flooding risks at Duke Energy’s largest nuclear power plant are far higher than federal officials have acknowledged and should prompt an environmental review as part of any operating license renewal, two environmental groups told a three-judge panel at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday.

But lawyers for Duke Energy Corp. defended the Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca, S.C., arguing before the commission’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that it’s safe and environmentally sound.

The dispute follows the company’s request in June to renew the operating licenses for the plant’s three units for an additional 20 years. Oconee has a capacity ...