Third Calvert Cliffs nuclear reactor clears environmental review

Other regulatory hurdles remain

A federal environmental review has found no reason not to permit construction of a third Calvert Cliffs nuclear power reactor in southern Maryland, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Friday.

The final environmental impact statement by the NRC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District recommends issuance of a construction and operating permit to Unistar to build a 1,500 megawatt pressurized water reactor near Lusby in Calvert County.

Other regulatory hurdles remain. The NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is weighing a challenge to the staff's environmental review and whether Unistar meets federal requirements limiting foreign ownership.

The NRC also has yet to approve the site of the reactor or its design, and a separate permit is needed from the Army Corps.

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