The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation’s application for a renewed license for the Wolf Creek Generating Station.

Wolf Creek’s original 40-year license was scheduled to expire in 2025. The renewed operating license allows the station to operate an additional 20 years beyond the original license, to 2045.

"We are pleased to continue generating electricity for our owners and contributing to the livelihood of our community well into the future," President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Muench said.

"The employees at Wolf Creek take pride in our commitment to ‘safety first’ and environmental stewardship. We thank all our employees, elected officials, community leaders and citizens of the community for their support during the license renewal process. Wolf Creek has a long, useful life ahead of it."

Wolf Creek is the 50th among the nation’s 104 licensed nuclear units to receive license renewal. Wolf Creek submitted its renewal application in September 2006.

During its review of the license renewal applications, the NRC evaluate the technical aspects of plant aging, how the aging effects will be managed by the station and the potential impact the plant has on the environment. Public participation plays an important role in the renewal process.

Members of the public are provided the opportunity to attend public meetings, solicit input and review the NRC’s findings and recommendations. The license renewal process ensures that important systems, structures and components will continue to safely perform their intended function during the 20-year extension.

“Wolf Creek has been, and continues to be, a reliable, safe source of electricity for all of our customers,” said Bill Moore, chairman of the WCNOC board of directors and Westar Energy president and chief executive officer.

“We look forward to Wolf Creek operating safely and efficiently for another 20 years beyond its original 40-year license.”

In addition to electricity production, Wolf Creek has had a positive impact on the economy of both Coffey County and the state of Kansas. This is evident in a 2006 study of the economic benefits of Wolf Creek, conducted by the Nuclear Energy Institute. The study revealed that Wolf Creek contributes $165 million annually to the local and state economy in the form of payroll, purchases and taxes.

Sen. Derek Schmidt and Rep. Peggy Mast both applaud the NRC’s decision to extend Wolf Creek’s license, which is located in their respective districts.

“The renewed license of Wolf Creek is welcome news to the men and women who depend on the plant for their livelihoods, for the communities that depend on it for jobs and power and for the future of our state,” said Schmidt.

“This extension ensures Wolf Creek will continue to play an important part of Kansas’ energy portfolio,” said Mast.

Kansas City Power & Light Company, a Great Plains Energy company; KGE, a Westar Energy, Inc., company; and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., own and Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation operates Wolf Creek Generating Station, near Burlington, Kan.