In the U.S., there have been similar calls to freeze relicensing applications of existing plants.

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But when Entergy bought the plant it reluctantly agreed to apply to the state's Public Service Board for a required "certificate of public good" at relicensing time.

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It is charged with deciding safety issues for the major nuclear programs such as relicensing existing reactors, evaluating proposals for nuclear waste disposal designs, evaluating new designs for the next generation reactors and the small modular reactors.

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