The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission just approved Duke Energy's plan to handle spent fuel at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant.

Acroding to our partners at the Citrus County Chronicle, the NRC notified Duke officials on Dec. 19, letting them know their updated plan for irradiated fuel management is adequate.

Duke estimates the cost of handling the fuel will be more than $265 million.

Crews will likely begin building the dry cask storage facility some time next year. The facility would be finished by 2017, and the fuel assemblies transferred into it by 2019.

Duke predicts the Department of Energy would then begin transferring the spent fuel off the site in 2035.