The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced that the decommissioning funds of 18 power plants fall short, reports the Democrat and Chronicle.

The GinnaNuclear Power Plant is located near Rochester.The Robert E. Ginna nuclear power station near Rochester is among the plants cited by the NRC. Although the shortfall does not impact safe operations of the plant, according to John Carlin, VP of Ginna Nuclear Power Plant LLC, the plant cannot be safely decommissioned without meeting its funding goals. 

According to the NRC, by the end of 2008 Ginna should have racked up $357.5 for decommissioning, but had only put aside $203.2 million.

The economic downturn that is hurting everyone is blamed for the drop in Ginna's decommissioning fund, which is invested by an independent trustee. 

Purchased by Baltimore-based Constellation Energy in 2004, Ginna was originally licensed for 40 years of operation. The license was set to expire in September of this year, but was extended through 2029.

Similarly, funding to decommission Indian Point 2 fell short by nearly $100 million as of December 31, 2008, according to the Journal News. Indian Point 3, on the other hand, is within $20 million of the $407.5 million price tag for shutting down that reactor in 2015.

Jerry Nappi, a spokesman for Entergy, the owner of the Indian Point reactors, assures that "Any possible shortfalls in account funding will be discussed with the NRC, and Entergy will ensure fund levels stay on track."

In the meantime, Entergy awaits completion of its application to extend its Indian Point 2 and 3 licenses through 2035.