ON PETITION FOR PERMISSION TO APPEAL

ORDER

The United States petitions for permission to appeal the United States Court of Federal Claims’s November 3, 2011 interlocutory order. Entergy Nuclear Fitzpatrick, LLC, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3, LLC, and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (“Respondents”) oppose the petition on the grounds that the appeal should be expedited and heard en banc.

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(d)(2), a judge of the Court of Federal Claims may certify for appeal an otherwise unappealable order when he includes “in the order a statement that a controlling question of law is involved with respect to which there is a substantial ground for difference of opinion and that an immediate appeal from that order may materially advance the ultimate termination of the litigation.” 28 U.S.C. § 1292(d)(2). Whether to accept an interlocutory appeal is a decision solely within our discretion. See In re Convertible Rowing Exerciser Patent Litigation, 903 F.2d 822 (Fed.Cir. 1990).

Based on the arguments in the motions papers, we determine that the United States has met the criteria for an interlocutory appeal.

Upon consideration thereof,

It Is Ordered That:

The petition is granted.