Holtec International announced Thursday that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) officially approved the License Termination Plan (LTP) for the Oyster Creek Generating Station. With decommissioning and dismantlement already more than halfway complete, the milestone establishes the roadmap for the final phase of site restoration.
Operating for nearly 49 years, the Lacey Township facility began generating electricity in December 1969 as the nation’s oldest operating commercial nuclear power plant before permanently shutting down in September 2018.
“We believe the NRC’s approval is a testament to the quality of our technical work, the strength of our regulatory engagement, and our culture of safety and accountability throughout the decommissioning process,” said Oyster Creek Site Vice President Jeff Dostal. “The approved LTP provides the roadmap for the final phase of decommissioning and site restoration.”
Paving the way for advanced nuclear energy
Capitalizing on recent pro-nuclear legislation in New Jersey and strong regional backing for clean energy, Holtec has targeted the Oyster Creek property for a transformative future. The company plans to feature four SMR-300 small modular reactor units at the site, boasting an expected combined capacity of 1,360 MWe.
The ambitious project is projected to yield major economic advantages for the state, including:
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Job creation: An estimated 4,000 construction jobs and more than 400 permanent positions, alongside thousands of additional roles via local supply chain development.
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Economic infrastructure: Increased tax revenue, significant infrastructure investment, and potential integration with AI data centers.
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Clean energy: A robust return of carbon-free electricity generation to New Jersey, deployed just 54 miles from Holtec’s corporate headquarters in Camden.
