NuStart Energy Development, LLC, is a limited liability company formed in 2004 with ten member companies. These members, plus two reactor vendors form the NuStart Consortium. The consortium objectives are: 1) to demonstrate the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission?s (NRC) never-before-used licensing process for obtaining a combined Construction and Operating License (COL) for an advanced nuclear power plant; and 2) complete the design engineering for the two selected reactor technologies.

With respect to the first objective, NuStart's mission is simply to test the process, to see how efficiently and effectively the NRC and industry can work together towards a positive result ? the granting of a COL. Construction decisions at this time are premature. As such, none of the companies involved is obligated to build a new nuclear plant, although individual companies or groups of companies could decide to use the COL.

Obtaining a COL is a critical step in a potential renaissance of the nuclear power industry in the US. By achieving this, NuStart will demonstrate that the COL license can be obtained on schedule and within budget, and that advanced plant designs can be approved. Further, it will provide a realistic time and cost estimate for building and operating a new nuclear plant in today's environment.

With respect to the second objective, NuStart will work with the reactor vendors to complete the one-time engineering work necessary for the standardized plant designs. This will position these technologies for deployment when needed, thereby significantly reducing the time to market for a new nuclear plant.

NuStart has begun a process that is projected at this time to take until 2011. Here is a tentative timeline:

2004	NuStart Energy consortium is organized and formed to respond to a Department of Energy (DOE) issued solicitation to demonstrate the NRC?s COL process and complete the engineering for the two selected technologies.
2005	Selection process for COL sites. Candidate sites were evaluated against established screening and evaluation criteria. Process completed mid 2005. Design Certification activities for two selected technologies continue. Engineering work needed to support the preparation of two COL applications begins, as well as work on the two selected nuclear power plants designs. Work begins with the NRC in designing engineering requirements for licensing new nuclear power plants.
2008	Completion of COL engineering work, followed by completion and submission of COL application(s). Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) begins review of applications.
2011	Projected date for issuance of the COL. Although there are currently no commitments to build a new nuclear plant at this time, construction would be permitted following NRC issuance of a COL.
2015	Earliest projected date for commencement of operations at the first new nuclear plant licensed in the U.S. in over 20 years.

Fact Sheet

An overview of NuStart Energy, its mission, and its activities.
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