Atlantic City Electric Company, Austin Energy, Central Maine Power Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company, South Mississippi Electric Power Association, and Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Denial of Petition for Rulemaking

Résumé

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or "Commission") is denying a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Atlantic City Electric Company, Austin Energy, Central Maine Power Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company, South Mississippi Electric Power Association, and Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PRM-50-64). The petitioners requested that the enforcement provisions of NRC regulations be amended to clarify NRC policy regarding the potential liability of joint owners if other joint owners become financially incapable of bearing their share of the burden for safe operation or decommissioning of a nuclear power plant.\1\ The Commission is denying the petition because the NRC's intent is not to impose responsibilities for operating or decommissioning costs pursuant to NRC regulatory requirements on co- owners in a manner inconsistent with contractual ownership agreements, except, and only as a last resort, when highly unusual circumstances relating to the protection of the public's health and safety require it. Also, the petition would not improve the NRC's regulatory process and maintain the same level of protection of the public health and safety provided under current Commis