Politics & Government

DEP Issues Draft Permit In Accordance With Oyster Creek Closure

Permit allows intake of water from Forked River and discharge to Oyster Creek until plant's closure

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) draft permit renewal to Oyster Creek Generating Station in accordance with the plant’s closure agreement, Commissioner Bob Martin said.

The draft permit renewal allows the plant to continue the intake of water from the Forked River and the discharge to Oyster Creek until its closure.

The permit was issued just six months after the state and Exelon Corporation reached an agreement to , 10 years before the plant's federal operating license expires.

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The early closure of the Oyster Creek plant is a major win for the long-term health of Barnegat Bay,'' Martin said. "It is major component of Gov. Christie's comprehensive 10-point plan to restore this incredible resource and reverse the Bay's declining ecological health.''

In December 2010, Gov. Chris Christie unveiled a 10-point plan to address the short- and long-term issues debilitating the ecological health of the Barnegat Bay. His plan included the early closure of Oyster Creek.

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This regulatory document follows through on our commitment to close Oyster Creek a decade earlier than its federal license allows,'' Martin said. "We have a commitment from Exelon to continue to operate the nuclear plant in a safe and responsible manner until its closure.''

A two-session public hearing on the draft permit will be held on Tuesday, July 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lacey Township Municipal Building.

To view a copy of the permit, click here.

Written comments on the draft permit must be submitted by Monday, Aug. 1 to: Comments on Public Notice NJ, 0005550, Mail Code 401-02b, Bureau of Surface Water Permitting.

Oyster Creek is the oldest nuclear plant in the United States, beginning commercial operations on Dec. 23, 1969. The plant employs nearly 700 workers and provides enough electricity for 600,000 New Jersey homes.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here