The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating
licenses for both reactors at the St. Lucie nuclear plant in Southeast Florida, allowing the facility
to continue generating electricity for another 20 years and extending its operations into the 2050s
and 2060s.
The decision enables the plant to keep providing reliable, carbon-free power to homes
and businesses across the region for decades to come.
Located near Fort Pierce, the plant’s two pressurized water reactors are now licensed to
operate through March 1, 2056, and April 6, 2063. The marks the second license renewal for St.
Lucie, allowing the units to operate for up to 80 years.
Over the past 15 months, the agency has renewed 18 operating reactor licenses,
preserving 17,000 megawatts of clean, reliable power for another 20 years.
The NRC’s review of Florida Power & Light’s application included detailed safety and
environmental evaluations, which concluded the plant can continue operating safely during the
extended period. The agency completed a safety evaluation in September 2023 and an
environmental review in March 2026, which supplements the 2024 Environmental Impact
Statement for license renewal at nuclear plants.
Additional information about the St. Lucie subsequent license renewal review and the
overall license renewal process is available on the NRC’s website.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect
public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including
enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities,
the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for
incident response. The NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms
outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency
Source: NRC