The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission yesterday said it has accepted for review a 20-year license renewal application for FirstEnergy Corp.'s Beaver Valley nuclear power plant in Shippingport, Beaver County.

The license renewals for the 5,800-megawatt power plant would begin in 2016 for Unit 1 and 2026 for Unit 2, when their current licenses end.

In reviewing the application, the commission will look at issues related to aging facilities at the 28-year-old power plant, conduct an environmental impact review and hold a public meeting. Once notice of the acceptance is printed in the Federal Register, it will open a 60-day public comment period. A hearing may also be requested.

A copy of the application is available at the Beaver Area Memorial Library, 100 College Ave., Beaver.