Big Rock Point reactor site derestricted

[NRC, 11 January] The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has released most of Consumers Energy's Big Rock Point nuclear power plant site for unrestricted public use. The land, some 176 hectares, is below NRC regulatory requirements that allow a maximum radiation dose of 25 millirem (0.25 mSv) per year from residual contamination. About 43 hectares of land will remain under the plant's licences. This land contains the dry cask storage facility, where used fuel from the reactor is stored. The 75 MWe, single-unit Big Rock Point began operating in 1963 and was shut down in 1997. Dismantlement and decommissioning were completed in August 2006.