Aging NextEra, Dominion Nuke Plants Face Tougher License Renewal

NextEra Energy Inc.‘s Turkey Point nuclear plant in Florida and other aging nuclear plants seeking to extend federal licenses will face further environmental review, an unusual reversal of Nuclear Regulatory Commission policy that could put pressure on the country’s nuclear fleet.

Constellation Energy’s Peach Bottom in Pennsylvania, which received a second NRC license extension, will also face additional review. Other nuclear plants seeking a second 20-year extension include Dominion Energy’s North Anna plant in Virginia; Duke Energy’s Oconee plant in South Carolina; and NextEra’s Point Beach plant in Wisconsin.

Reactors applying for subsequent license renewals—which would allow a plant ...