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<p>SALEM TWP. &#8212; A local power plant company announced Wednesday it is withdrawing an application to build a second proposed nuclear power plant.</p><p>Talen Energy, which owns the Susquehanna plant, has sent a written request to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) withdrawing a license application for the Bell Bend nuclear power plant project. The Bell Bend plant would be adjacent to the existing Susquehanna site.</p><p>According to a press release issued by Talen, the company sees &#8220;no viable path&#8221; to obtaining the license.</p><p>According to the NRC, PPL Bell Bend LLC, a subsidiary of PPL, the application was first submitted in October 2008.</p><p>PPL told the Times Leader in 2008 the plant would cost upwards of $10 billion to develop and would take seven to eight years to construct.</p><p>AREVA, the company that designed the Bell Bend reactor, asked the NRC to suspend the design certification process in February 2015. Even though the plant design was suspended, the application remained on file with the NRC, Talen&#8217;s release said. World Nuclear News reported in April 2016 the Bell Bend reactor would clear the environmental review.</p><p>&#8220;The decision to withdraw the Bell Bend license application has no effect on the company&#8217;s long-term commitment to safe, reliable operation of the Susquehanna plant,&#8221; the release said.</p><p>In July 2016, <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/567873/talen-energy-to-lay-off-53-workers-at-nuclear-power-plant-in-salem-township" target="_blank">Talen Energy announced it would eliminate 53 workers at the Susquehanna Power Plant</a> in a company restructuring<a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/567873/talen-energy-to-lay-off-53-workers-at-nuclear-power-plant-in-salem-township" target="_blank">. </a></p><p>The company sent a staffing plan to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1600, in Allentown, laying off 131 &#8220;excess&#8221; employees at three plants &#8212; Susquehanna in Salem Township, Montour Power Plant in Washingtonville and Brunner Island in York County &#8212; and an office in Allentown.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Melanie Mizenko</p><p>mmizenko@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Updated: Talen Energy withdraws application for Bell Bend power plant