France’s nuclear regulator ASN has asked state-run utility EDF to specify its plans and improve its organisation to better manage the project for dismantling and decommissioning the Fessenheim nuclear power station, whose two reactor units will be permanently shut down this year. ASN said priority given in EDF’s dismantling and decommissioning plan for the removal of fuel before 2023 is justified because it allows risks at the site to be substantially reduced. Fuel removal would be part of the preparation for dismantling.However, ASN said the level of detail in the plan is insufficient given the closeness of the planned dates for the final shutdowns. EDF said in September 2019 that Unit 1 will shut down on 22 February 2020 and Unit 2 on 30 June 2020.