Current Nuclear Regulatory Commission relicensing criteria do not take into account changes in population density, infrastructure, security risks, and the onsite storage of high-level radioactive waste accumulating at nuclear plants.

Riverkeeper supports the efforts of Westchester County Executive Andy Spano in seeking to change criteria for the relicensing of nuclear power plants. In August 2005, Riverkeeper sent formal comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in support of the County Executive's petition for rulemaking.

Riverkeeper also supports the Nuclear Power Licensing Reform Act of 2007 introduced in the U.S. House by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, and Congressman John Hall which would change relicensing criteria for nuclear power plants in order that they are held to the same standards and criteria for approval used by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the licensing of new nuclear power plants.