Jeremy L. Dillon
RW Monitor
2/28/2014
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering updating its rulemaking process for power reactor license renewals in anticipation of an upcoming wave of renewal applications that if approved would extend the plant life past 60 years, according to a policy issue options paper released last week by the NRC staff. With an aging reactor fleet, this potential update would create clearer guidance in the rulemaking to ensure durability and “age-related maintenance” of the reactor in the license renewal process. “The staff has begun a regulatory framework and technical justification review of the operating power reactor license renewal process to be prepared for anticipated subsequent license renewal applications that will request approval to renew a facility’s operating license beyond 60 years,” the paper said. “The staff believes the license renewal process and regulations are sound and can support subsequent license renewal; however, the staff has identified several areas that should be modified in the existing rule to allow for a more predictable review process.”
The paper outlined four possible options the Commission could take regarding the rule. According to the staff’s preferred option in the rule, the Commission would pursue rulemaking for subsequent renewal-specific changes. “Under this option, the staff would develop a more explicit requirement for maintaining the effectiveness of aging-management activities and a new requirement for reporting aging-related degradation after a license is renewed,” the paper said. “This option also includes a proposal to explore reducing the time that a licensee may submit an application for subsequent license renewal before the expiration of an existing license.” This option would include two of the other options outlined in the paper: minor clarification of wording in the rule and updates to 10 CFR Part 54 regulations for current and subsequent renewals. The fourth option outlined by the paper and not recommended was an option of inaction.
