Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. will join other utilities in a lawsuit aimed at helping resolve a long-standing issue on long-term storage of used nuclear fuel.

The suit will seek permission to suspend payment of nuclear waste fees to the U.S. Department of Energy unless the department begins accepting used nuclear fuel as agreed in its contract with nuclear utilities.

PP&L and the Energy department signed a contract in 1983, in which PP&L agreed to pay a nuclear waste fee and the Energy department agreed to begin accepting used nuclear fuel by Jan. 31, 1998. PP&L has been paying the fee — about $15 million per year — since 1983.

"We have been meeting our obligations under this contract," said Herbert D. Woodeshick, special assistant to the president for Susquehanna. "Because the Energy department is not meeting its obligation, we are seeking permission to suspend payments." PP&L would place the fee in escrow until the issue is resolved, Woodeshick said.

"We have made a commitment to plant neighbors to continue our efforts to have this fuel transferred off the plant property and into government hands as planned," said Woodeshick. "We also have a commitment to our customers — who have been paying this waste fee through their rates — to try to ensure that the government meets its obligation."

When the energy in uranium fuel is depleted, the fuel is removed from Susquehanna's nuclear reactors and placed in special pools of water next to each reactor. The company is planning to increase its capacity to store used fuel, to ensure safe storage for as long as is needed.

"Our goal is to ensure that the government meets its obligation to accept this used fuel as agreed," Woodeshick said. "We also support federal legislation aimed at resolving the nuclear waste issue."

As of Thursday (1/30), 33 electric utilities were planning to participate in the lawsuit, to be filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals. About 50 state agencies also are expected to file a petition in the case.