Nuclear Regulatory Commission puts hold on plant licensing

Reuters : The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an order that suspends reactor licensing and renewal until the NRC can update its policies for handling spent nuclear fuel. In 2010 the NRC had adopted updates to the Waste Confidence Decision and the Temporary Storage Ruleâmdash;policies that govern reactor waste management. However, in June 2012, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the new versions of the policies violated the National Environmental Policy Act. The new order states that work on licenses for both new reactors and renewals will continue, but none will be approved until the policies are updated.