The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced an opportunity to request a hearing on an application to renew the operating license for the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant.

The Columbia Generating Station is a boiling-water nuclear reactor. The plant is located 12 miles northwest of Richland, Wash.

The licensee, Energy Northwest, submitted the renewal application on January 19 for the plant. The current operating license for Columbia Generating Station expires on Dec. 20, 2023.

The NRC staff has determined that the application contains sufficient information for the agency to formally "docket," or file, the application and begin their technical review. Docketing of the application does not preclude requesting additional information as the review proceeds; nor does it indicate whether the Commission will grant the application. The deadline for requesting a hearing is May 14, will be published soon in the Federal Register Notice. By that date, petitions must be filed by anyone whose interest may be affected by the license renewal and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding.

A request for hearing and a petition for leave to intervene must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. They may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 415-1101 or email to HEARINGDOCKET@nrc.gov. A copy should also be submitted to the NRC Office of General Counsel, by facsimile to (301) 415-3725 or e-mail to OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov.

Information about the license renewal process can be found on the NRC Web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal.html. The Columbia renewal application is online at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications/columbia.html.