During a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) public hearing Wednesday in Fulton, two people spoke in favor of a nuclear reactor license renewal and two were opposed.
Fulton City Administrator Bill Johnson and Holts Summit Alderwoman Pamela Murray spoke in support of Ameren Missouri's proposal to renew its license to continue operating the current nuclear reactor at the Callaway Energy Center south of Fulton.
Johnson said he was speaking as a private citizen but he was confident that the Fulton mayor and members of the Fulton City Council are strongly in support of the license renewal.
Ameren Missouri's license to operate the current nuclear reactor expires in 2024 and the utility wants to renew the license to operate the plant until 2044.
Ameren Missouri also has discussed building another nuclear reactor at the Callaway Energy Center site but that was not part of the hearing process on Wednesday, which was confined to the application to renew the license for the current operating nuclear reactor at the plant.
Johnson said the city of Fulton has an excellent relationship with Ameren Missouri and the firm is always helpful to the city. "We support and endorse the Ameren plant," Johnson said.
Murray said Ameren Missouri has been a good corporate citizen to Holts Summit where she serves as a member of the Board of Aldermen. Murray said she has "no specific concerns" about the license renewal sought by Ameren Missouri.