License Renewal
Current Operating License
Three Mile Island Unit 1 is licensed to operate until 2034. TMI received a 20 year extension to its original operating license on Oct. 22, 2009.
Background on the TMI Unit 1 License Renewal Process
Three Mile Island's original operating license was set to expire in 2014. In January 2008, Three Mile Island Unit 1 submitted an application to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to extend its operating license for an additional 20 years, until 2034. Fifty-four other commercial nuclear units have received license extension and additional applications are under review by the NRC. To view TMI Unit 1's license renewal application follow the links below:
U.S. nuclear energy plants were originally licensed to operate for 40 years. The 40-year term license term was based on the accounting amortization period generally used by electric utility companies for large capital investments. The term was not based on safety, technical or environmental issues. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 permit nuclear energy plants to renew their 40-year operating license for an additional 20 years.
Exelon Nuclear submitted a license renewal application for TMI Unit 1 because we are committed to producing
clean, reliable energy for south central Pennsylvania residents for an additional 20 years and most importantly, we will do so safely.
TMI Unit 1's current operating license will expire in 2034. Now and through its period of extended operation, TMI Unit 1 will continue to operate at the high standard set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Three Mile Island is a valuable component of Pennsylvania's electricity supply. TMI Unit 1 has been continually upgraded and its equipment modernized to enhance safety, security and efficiency, which are all important aspects of operating a safe and clean nuclear energy plant.
To receive license renewal approval, a nuclear plant must pass a rigorous process. First, the plant must submit an application to the NRC requesting license renewal. The application includes general, environmental and technical information in compliance with federal regulations. The application includes 1,200 pages and to complete it, TMI Unit 1 personnel evaluated 283 systems and structures at the plant, more than 50,000 components and 45 aging management programs. After the application is submitted, the public may submit a request for a hearing.
The license renewal process includes rigorous examinations by NRC of safety and environmental issues. The process also provides ample opportunities for the public to be involved. The NRC will hold meetings for the public to learn about the license renewal process, as well as to comment on aspects of the application.
The NRC staff reviews the application on two parallel tracks - a safety review and an environmental review. In the safety review process, there are a number of steps including a thorough review of the application's safety sections, an informal public meeting, an audit and inspections of the station's aging management programs. For the environmental review, a public meeting is held, site audits are conducted, and an environmental impact statement is prepared, commented on by the public, and then revised with the publics comments.
The NRC issued its final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Three Mile Island Unit 1 on June 26, 2009. The report concluded there are no environmental impacts that would preclude license renewal for an additional 20 years of operation. To view the report, follow the link below:
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement - Three Mile Island Unit 1
The Safety Evaluation Report (SER) for Three Mile Island Unit 1 was issued by the NRC on June 30, 2009. The SER documents the NRC's findings associated with the safety review of TMI Unit 1's license renewal application and audits and inspections of TMI's aging management programs. The SER was discussed by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards in September 2009. Follow the link below to view the report:
Safety Evaluation Report - Three Mile Island Unit 1
To see a timeline of TMI Unit 1s renewal process click here. Or, to see a more in depth look at the license renewal process click here to access the License Renewal Process Fact Sheet.