The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) typically grants a license to nuclear power plants for a period of 40 years.
Before the end of the original license period, the utility can seek to renew the operating license of the plant or cease operations and begin the decommissioning process. Decommissioning entails safely removing a plant from service and taking steps to reduce the level of radiation to one that permits termination of the NRC license so the land may be used for other things in the future.The NRC requires plants to finish the decommissioning process within 60 years of closing. Strict decommissioning requirements enforced by the NRC require utilities to cleanup radioactively contaminated plant systems and structures as well remove radioactive fuel. These requirements protect workers and the public during the entire decommissioning process as well as the public after the license is terminated.
How is decommissioning funded?
Nuclear power plants are required by the NRC to put aside funds for their decommissioning during operations. Duke Energy began collecting funds in 1979 to cover the estimated decommissioning costs for its nuclear plants. Utilities across the country work with federal and state regulators to ensure enough money is set aside for this process. These funds are not under the direct control of the companies and cannot be used for purposes other than decommissioning. Although there are many factors affecting cost, plant decommissioning ranges from $300 to $400 million.
How is a nuclear power plant decommissioned?
To decommission a nuclear power plant, the radioactive material on the site must be reduced to levels which wouldpermit termination of the license. This involves removing the used fuel and cleaning up or dismantling contaminated materials. All radioactive materials generally have to be removed from the facility and shipped to a waste processing, storage or disposal facility.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission offers three pathways to decommissioning:
- Immediate Dismantlement – Parts of the reactor are removed or decontaminated soon after the plant closes. This process involves immediate clean up after the plant shuts down.
- Safe Storage – The nuclear plant is monitored and radiation is allowed to decay; afterward, it is taken down.
- Entombment – Radioactive components are sealed off in robust material such as steel and are monitored and maintained while allowing radiation to decay. According to the NRC, no “NRC-licensed facility has requested this option.”
To learn more about decommissioning, click on the fact sheets below:
NEI – Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants
NRC – Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants