NuStart Energy has begun implementing the process that will lead to obtaining Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval for a combined Construction and Operating License (COL) for an advanced nuclear power plant. The process will be undertaken in two phases, with Phase 1 including the project planning and organizing needed to move forward with licensing activities and reactor design-related work, and Phase 2 including implementation of the project plan, completion of reactor design work, preparation of two COL applications, and success in obtaining at least one and possibly two COLs.
Phase 1 is already underway, and milestones are reported here. The Phase 2 actions are also described here. This page will be updated as each step in the process, each milestone, is passed.
The NRC’s new licensing process allows a COL application to reference a certified design and ESP if available simplifying the COL application development process. Once the COL has been issued, NuStart Energy Development, LLC’s job will be over. Then a group of member companies could decide to use the NuStart COL application and build a new plant on a specific site.
Phase 1: Project Planning
1) Finalizing the project organization, including legal agreements; administrative policies and procedures; business reporting, accounting and contracting controls; and oversight, inspection and auditing plans.
COMPLETE
2) Preparing the detailed project plan, and through negotiation with the DOE, identify appropriate project control mechanisms and integrate them into the plan.
COMPLETE
3) Selecting appropriate sites, after identifying candidate sites, performing site selection analysis, and finalizing licensing strategies consistent with the selected sites.
COMPLETE
4) Certifying the design, as reactor vendors move through the evaluation and approval process with the NRC — GE preparing an application for submission, and Westinghouse continuing to support the NRC’s rule making on the final safety evaluation and final design approval, issued September 13, 2004.
UNDERWAY
5) Obtaining COL design engineering input, as the reactor vendors initiate work on long-lead-time COL items.
UNDERWAY
6) Designing a process and criteria in the nature of engineering requirements for licensing nuclear power plants.
UNDERWAY
Phase 2: Application and Engineering Work
1) Completing design certification, and the NRC’s issuance of the design certification.
2) Completing design engineering, by reactor vendors, who must perform design work needed to support COL application preparation.
3) Preparing the COL applications, beginning by selecting COL application preparation
contractor(s), and preparing applications based on the selected site for the GE design and the Westinghouse design.
4) Receiving NRC approval of COL application, after supporting the NRC’s review process.
5) Finalizing the reactor designs.
