NRC pushes decision on Holtec CISF to May

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has delayed issuing a decision on the licensing of Holtec International's proposed consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) in New Mexico for at least two more months. In a letter sent to Holtec on March 20, the NRC said the delay was "due to unforeseen resource constraints."

The NRC was previously expected to issue a final safety evaluation report, along with its licensing decision, for the spent nuclear fuel storage facility by the end of March. In its letter, the NRC said it now estimates that it will issue its final decision and safety report on or before the end of May.

The NRC's letter comes just days after New Mexico passed legislation meant to prevent the CISF project from moving forward. The new law would require state consent before radioactive waste can be accepted into New Mexico. Holtec is proposing to build the facility, called the HI-STORE CISF, in southeastern New Mexico, near the Department of Energy's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

Background: Holtec, in partnership with the Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance of New Mexico, submitted its application to the NRC for the HI-STORE CISF license in 2017. If approved, the facility would initially store 500 canisters holding approximately 8,680 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel under a 40-year license. During subsequent phases, the facility would be licensed to hold up to 10,000 canisters of spent fuel. The canisters would be transported by rail from operating, decommissioning, and decommissioned commercial nuclear power plants around the country.

In July 2022, the NRC staff issued its final environmental impact statement for the HI-STORE CISF, recommending that a license be issued for the facility, subject to the findings of the final safety evaluation report.