Energy Northwest is one step closer to renewing its federal license to operate the Columbia Generating Station near Richland.

A federal advisory committee in Maryland recommended license renewal Friday after concluding that Energy Northwest had satisfied safety-related issues.

The Tri-City Herald ( http://bit.ly/HGrrIu) says it is the final step before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission makes a decision, which could come in late May.

The station is the only commercial nuclear plant in the Pacific Northwest. A 20-year license renewal would allow the Northwest's only commercial nuclear plant to operate until 2043.

---

Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com