NRC holds public meeting on UniStar’s Calvert Cliffs Unit 3

On May 25, 2010 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a public meeting in Solomons, Md. for comments on the Commission’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for UniStar Nuclear Energy’s Calvert Cliffs 3 (CC3) nuclear project. The NRC staffs’ preliminary recommendation in the DEIS is that the environmental portion of CC3’s Combined License (COL) be issued as proposed.

The 1,200-page DEIS report is the culmination of more than two years of review and independent assessment by the NRC.  It incorporates information from site surveys, as well as independent evaluations and analyses performed by NRC staff, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and experts from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory. Public comments from the NRC’s March 19, 2008 meeting for the CC3 project were also included in the review process.  

This week’s public meeting was the seventh the NRC has held in its review of the Combined License application for Calvert Cliffs 3. Approximately 80 people attended the afternoon session, and 140 people attended the evening session.

The NRC’s issuance of a DEIS is a significant regulatory milestone in licensing efforts for the Calvert Cliffs 3 project, and is another step toward meeting the region’s energy needs through secure, reliable, carbon-free electricity generation. A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) from the NRC and associated wetlands permits are required before preliminary site preparation work can begin.

Thanks to the members of the community who participated in the NRC public meeting and for sharing your comments and questions during this process!