The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced December 5 that it approved NextEra Energy subsidiary Florida Power & Light’s (FP&L) application for an additional 20 years of operation for Units 3 & 4 at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in south Florida. The issuance of an additional 20-year renewal marks the first time the NRC has issued subsequent renewed licenses allowing reactor operations for a total of 80 years. Turkey Point 3’s subsequent renewed license expires on July 19, 2052 and Unit 4’s license expires on April 10, 2053. FP&L submitted the license application on January 30, 2018. NRC regulations permit license renewals that extend the initial 40-year license for up to 20 additional years per renewal. The NRC issues renewed licenses only after it determines that a nuclear facility can operate safely during the proposed license renewal period. There are no limitations in the NRC regulations or in the Atomic Energy Act that limit the number of times a license may be renewed.
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