NRC ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST HEARING ON PROPOSAL 

TO PRODUCE CO-60 AT HOPE CREEK NUCLEAR POWER PLANT 

 The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is seeking public comment and offering the 

opportunity to request a hearing regarding a request from PSEG Nuclear for a pilot program to 

explore the production of Cobalt-60 at the Hope Creek Generating Station, located about 18 

miles south of Wilmington, Del. 

If approved, the requested license amendment would give PSEG permission to generate 

and transfer Cobalt-60 under the NRC’s regulations for “byproduct” material. The Cobalt-60, as 

a radioactive material licensed by the NRC and Agreement States, is used in applications such as 

cancer treatment and for irradiation sterilization of foods and medical devices. 

PSEG seeks permission to alter the reactor’s core by inserting up to 12 modified fuel 

assemblies with rods containing Cobalt-59 pellets, which would absorb neutrons during reactor 

operation and become Cobalt-60. PSEG’s pilot program would gather data to verify that the 

modified fuel assemblies perform satisfactorily in service prior to use on a production basis. 

PSEG has informed the NRC that if the amendment is granted, the company plans to insert the 

modified assemblies during Hope Creek’s planned fall 2010 refueling outage. 

 The NRC staff review of the amendment request will include evaluating the potential 

effects of the modified fuel assemblies on plant operation and accident scenarios. The 

amendment will only be approved if the staff concludes the modified core will continue to meet 

the agency’s safety requirements. 

The NRC issued a Federal Register notice on March 2, 

(http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a100302c.html ) seeking public comment and 

offering an opportunity to request a hearing on the license amendment request. Comments should 

be submitted by April 1, via mail to the Chief, Rulemaking and Directives Branch (RDB), TWB05-B01M, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or via fax to the RDB at 301-492-3446. 

Comments should cite the publication date and page number of the Federal Register notice. 

 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov

Site: http://www.nrc.gov

No. 10-039 March 2, 2010
Petitions requesting a hearing must be filed by May 3 by anyone whose interest may be 

affected by the license amendment and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding. 

The notice includes detailed instructions for requesting a hearing through the NRC’s E-filing 

system’s electronic submittal page at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html . For 

specific guidance and instructions on public involvement in hearings visit link at: 

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/adjudicatory/hearing.html. 

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