State environmental officials plan to fight a rule allowing nuclear fuel to be stored at reactor sites for six decades.
A file photo of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township.New Jersey wants to join a lawsuit against the federal government over how long spent nuclear fuel can be allowed to remain at reactor sites.
New guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission allow nuclear plants to keep their used fuel onsite for up to 60 years after the reactor is shut down, up from 30 years.
The state Department of Environmental Protection says the decision is not related to the Japanese earthquake and resulting nuclear emergency. A spokesman says the decision was in the works long before the crisis, adding that Wednesday is the deadline for states to seek to join the lawsuit.
DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said the state is concerned about the potential impact of the waste storage on New Jersey's environment.
New Jersey has four nuclear reactors.
Related coverage:
• Japanese Fukushima Daiichi, N.J. Oyster Creek nuclear plants use same reactor design
• Oyster Creek nuclear plant must replace new $16M transformer