The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said late last week that it is seeking public input on draft-guidance documents on possible changes to renewal standards for nuclear plant operating licenses.
The NRC said new nuclear reactors in the U.S. are licensed for an initial 40-year period, after which time, plants may be granted a 20-year extension. The guidance documents suggest extending operational licenses beyond 60 years.
The NRC expects the first set of renewal requests to come in 2019. The purpose of the documents would be to establish appropriate practices and guidance for NRC staff to review license extensions beyond a combined 60 years. Management programs for aging facilities are detailed in these draft documents for operations that would be allowed up until 80 years after a plant’s initial licensing year.
The comment period begins this week and runs through Friday, Feb. 29. Comments may be submitted electronically to Regulations.gov.
The NRC also will hold public informational meetings at its headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, Jan. 21 and 22 and Feb. 23.
NRC seeks public input on proposed plant-license renewal changes
More Stories
- DUKE ENERGY: Renewables acquires 144-MWac Pflugerville Solar project in Texas from Canadian Solar
- WINDESCO: WeBoost Platform Increases Annual Output by $3,000 per Megawatts for Longroad Energy's 145 Megawatts Acquired Wind Plant
- ACWA POWER: Signs three agreements for the first foreign investment based independent wind power project in Azerbaijan
- CAPITAL DYNAMICS: Exits 108-Megawatt Beacon II and V Solar Portfolio in Kern County, California
- KEMP: Combines 4th Generation Technology to Produce Offshore Wind Power Structures
- TRANSALTA RENEWABLES: Announces the Acquisition of 303 MW Portfolio including 274 MW of Wind from TransAlta Corporation
- DOMINION ENERGY: Files Construction and Operations Plan for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project
- DYNAMIC ENERGY: Celebrates Completion of Solar Project for The Miyoshi Kasei Group
- Dominion Energy, BrightSuite Partner with Sun Tribe to Bring Solar to 21 Schools Across Virginia
- GEORGIA POWER: Receives first nuclear fuel shipment for Vogtle Unit 3