Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants (NUREG/BR-0521, Revision 1)
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Publication Information
Date Published: June 2017
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001
Overview
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. The NRC has strict rules governing nuclear power plant decommissioning, involving cleanup of radioactively contaminated plant systems and structures and removal of the radioactive fuel. These requirements protect workers and the public during the entire decommissioning process and protect the public after the license is terminated.
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021