#USA #New York #GE Hitachi #NorthStar #Vallecitos Nuclear

NorthStar's Acquisition of the Vallecitos Nuclear Center

NorthStar Group Services, Inc. (NorthStar) made headlines by completing the acquisition of the sprawling 1600-acre Vallecitos Nuclear Center located in Sunol, California, from GE Vernova Inc. and GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC (GEH). This significant event, formally announced on March 14, 2025, marks a new chapter in nuclear decommissioning and environmental site restoration initiatives across the United States.

The deal was finalized following necessary approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which included the crucial license transfer from GEH to NorthStar. This agreement signifies a growing trust in NorthStar's capabilities, as highlighted by its CEO Scott State, who emphasized the company’s extensive experience in safely managing decontamination and decommissioning projects at nuclear sites nationwide.

The journey towards this acquisition began in May 2023, and since then, NorthStar’s team has been proactive at the Vallecitos site, continuing crucial work that was initiated by GEH. A noteworthy milestone was reached in November 2023 when the Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor (VBWR), recognized as the first privately owned nuclear power plant to generate significant electricity for a public utility grid, was successfully removed and dispatched for safe disposal. This operation was aligned with NorthStar's commitment to proper waste management practices, as further low-level radioactive waste will also be handled at its affiliate, Waste Control Specialists, LLC (WCS) in Texas.

With a solid track record of decommissioning endeavors, NorthStar has gained recognition for its exemplary work, including previously completed NRC License Termination Plans for five other reactor sites. The structure of this latest deal mirrors NorthStar's successful acquisition of the former Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station which the NRC and state regulators endorsed in 2018. Their leadership in decommissioning has been praised, with the NRC labeling it as “the best in the country,” leading to the expectation that the Vallecitos project will similarly be executed on schedule and within budget, aiming for completion by 2026.

NorthStar is not resting on its laurels, as it continues to expand its decommissioning projects through its Accelerated Decommissioning Partners joint venture, which is currently responsible for the decommissioning of the Crystal River 3 commercial nuclear reactor complex in Florida.

The ultimate goal of this major acquisition is to return the Vallecitos complex to a state that allows for productive use in a variety of commercial or industrial applications, further contributing to environmental restoration and community revitalization efforts.

About NorthStar

Headquartered in New York City, NorthStar Group Services has established itself as a leader in infrastructure and environmental solutions for over 35 years. The company’s work spans both commercial and government decommissioning projects, and it remains a top choice for numerous electric utilities and U.S. Department of Energy facilities. With licensing in all 50 states, NorthStar is poised to continue making significant contributions to the nuclear safety and environmental remediation sectors.

About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

The nuclear energy division of GE Vernova, in collaboration with Hitachi, serves as a leading global supplier of nuclear fuel, services, and advanced reactor designs. Their innovative technologies, including boiling water reactors and small modular reactors, continue to push the boundaries of nuclear energy advancements.