NEW YORK, NY August 24, 2005 —The battle over whether or not to keep open the nation's oldest nuclear power plant has surfaced in the race for Governor in New Jersey. WNYC's' Bob Hennelly has more.

REPORTER: The Oyster Creek atomic power plant in Ocean County dates back to 1969 and it's operator -- the Exelon Corporation -- wants to win Federal approval to keep it on line.

But Republican Gubernatorial candidate Doug Forrester says he has several concerns about its re-licensing, including the dramatic jump in the population around the plant since it opened thirty six years ago.

FORRESTER: And frankly it is now the oldest plant and that in itself warrants additional consideration.

REPORTER: His opponent Senator Corzine has said that he is inclined to support the re-licensing, as long as the plant is judged to be safe. Now both candidates are calling for the National Academy of Science to look over the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's review of Exelon's application.