The Missouri Coalition for the Environment has filed a petition to intervene with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to try to keep the NRC from relicensing Ameren's Callaway Nuclear Power Plant.

In October, the Coalition and others sued the NRC, contending that its regulations governing the long-term storage of nuclear waste do not comply with federal law.

The Coalition’s Safe Energy Director, Ed Smith, said the NRC’s licensing process doesn't take into account the health and environmental impacts of storing nuclear waste.

Smith said there’s no urgent need to extend Callaway’s license, since it doesn’t expire until 2024.

“This court legal issue will be resolved much sooner than 2024, and the NRC should let the court process unfold before making any decisions,” Smith said.

The NRC could decide whether or not to renew Ameren's license for Callaway as soon as next week.

Smith said the NRC has already indicated that it will deny the Coalition’s petition and that consequently his group intends to take legal action to block the extension of Ameren's license.

Callaway is the only commercial nuclear power plant in Missouri.

Follow Véronique LaCapra on Twitter: @KWMUScience