Since the first U.S. nuclear power plant opened its doors for commercial operation in 1958 until today, the nuclear industry has grown to serve nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population’s energy needs. Though most nuclear power plants that began operating during the past several decades continue to provide safe, reliable and environmentally friendly electricity, approximately two dozen have been safely shut down.
Reasons for closing a nuclear plant range from the costs related to upgrading an older plant to the availability of alternative energy sources, such as natural gas, at a particular location.
In early February, Duke Energy announced that the Crystal River Nuclear Plant located near Crystal River, Fla. will join the ranks of nuclear plants that have been retired permanently. The plant has not produced energy since 2009, when engineers discovered a delamination, or separation of the concrete, within the containment building structure. The delamination occurred while workers were creating a 23-by-27-foot opening in the structure to allow the replacement of two 500-ton steam generators. The unit was already safely shut down for scheduled refueling and maintenance when the delamination occurred.
With the decision to permanently retire the Crystal River Nuclear Plant, Duke Energy must follow strict rules set by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). These rules ensure that used fuel is off-loaded and stored properly and that the containment building surrounding the nuclear reactor remains in a stable, safe condition. Therefore, unlike most other production facilities or factories, the retirement of a nuclear plant involves much more than turning off machinery and closing its doors.
According to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) fact sheet, “when a power company decides to close a nuclear power plant permanently, the facility must be decommissioned by safely removing it from service and reducing residual radioactivity to a level that permits release of the property and termination of the operating license.”
Because of the scope of work involved in decommissioning a nuclear plant, Duke Energy plans to retain a large number of current Crystal River Nuclear Plant employees during the decommissioning process, which will take several years to complete.
Crystal River Nuclear Plant
Quick Decommissioning Facts
- On Feb. 20, 2013: A letter with the NRC has been filed certifying the plant’s cessation of operations and permanent removal of fuel from the reactor. This starts the decommissioning time clock.
- March 2013: Develop and implement a Decommissioning Transition Organization (DTO), which will identify the types of positions and number of resources needed to safely start the decommissioning process.
- February 2015: Submit a post-shutdown decommissioning activities report (PSDAR), which provides a description, schedule and expected costs of the decommissioning activities.
When a power company retires a nuclear plant, the NRC offers three decommissioning strategies to choose from:
- Immediate dismantlement: Parts of the reactor are removed or decontaminated soon after the plant closes and the land can be used.
- SAFSTOR: The nuclear plant is monitored and radiation is allowed to decay; afterward, it is taken down.
- Entombment: Radioactive components are sealed off with concrete and steel, allowing radiation to "decay" until the land can be used for other purposes.
Like the majority of other retired commercial nuclear plants, the Crystal River Nuclear Plant will use the NRC’s SAFSTOR option. Using SAFSTOR, Duke Energy will place the facility in a safe storage configuration until the eventual dismantling and decontamination activities occur, usually within 40 to 60 years.
For more information about the decommissioning process, click here to read a previously written article on the Nuclear Information Center. While you’re there, be sure to read through the NEI and NRC fact sheets on decommissioning.