NRC: News Release - 2006-030 - NRC Proposes Clarifications to New Reactor Licensing Process, Plans March 14 Public Meeting

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NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001	E-mail: opa@nrc.gov
www.nrc.gov

No. 06-030

February 23, 2006

NRC PROPOSES CLARIFICATIONS TO NEW REACTOR LICENSING PROCESS,
PLANS MARCH 14 PUBLIC MEETING
Printable Version

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing revisions to its regulations dealing with the licensing and approval of new nuclear power plants, and will hold a workshop March 14 in Rockville, Md., to discuss the proposal.

The requirements are outlined in a proposed rule to clarify the interrelationships of NRC reactor licensing regulations. This includes how the NRC’s regulations covering existing nuclear reactors apply to licensing processes under Part 52 of the Code of Federal Regulations, such as Early Site Permits (ESP), Standard Design Certifications and Combined Licenses. Since the agency adopted Part 52 in 1989, reviews of its provisions have revealed a need for clarification on the application of Part 50's general provisions to Part 52. The proposed rule would supersede revisions proposed in July 2003, and would incorporate lessons learned during review of the first three ESP applications.

The workshop will be held March 14 in the auditorium of Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will provide additional information on the basis for the proposed changes and give interested parties an opportunity to ask questions about the proposed rule.

For more information on the proposed rule, contact NRC staff members Nanette Gilles (telephone 301-415-1180, e-mail nvg@nrc.gov) or Jerry Wilson (telephone 301-415-3145, e-mail jnw@nrc.gov). To pre-register or submit written questions for the workshop, contact Ms. Gilles. To help ensure complete and accurate responses, written questions should be submitted by March 10.

Comments on the changes will be accepted for 75 days following publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register, expected shortly. Comments should include the identification number RIN 3150 AG-24 in the header or subject line. Comments may be mailed to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff. They may be e-mailed to: rulemaking.comments@nrc.gov, and may be submitted via the NRC’s rulemaking Web site at http://ruleforum.llnl.gov, or through the Federal Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be faxed to the Secretary at 301-415-1101, or hand-delivered to 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on federal workdays.