FULTON, Mo. -- Environmental activists want the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to take a longer look at Ameren Missouri's request for a 20-year license renewal at the state's only nuclear power plant.

The federal agency held a sparsely attended public meeting Wednesday afternoon in Fulton on Ameren's license renewal application for the Callaway plant. Just four members of the public spoke, with Ameren officials, NRC employees and reporters outnumbering ordinary citizens. A second Fulton meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night.

Ameren's application exceeds 1,600 pages. Ed Smith of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment asked the NRC officials to extend the public comment period on the application beyond the standard 60 days deadline, which would end April 24.

Ameren's current 40-year operating license for the Callaway County plant expires in 2024.