Federal Board Clears Way for Preliminary Work on New Nuclear Reactors (first in 30 years) [View All]

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A decision on whether work can begin on two new nuclear reactors in Waynesboro is expected within weeks.

Plant Vogtle, near Waynesboro, is closer to getting two new nuclear reactors. (photo courtesy U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
The U.S. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has issued a decision that clears the way for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve an early site permit for the new reactors. A review by the board found that safety and environmental issues are sufficient to issue the permit.

It's a crucial development in the process, one of the most significant decisions on the reactors so far. The NRC's decision that may come in two weeks.

http://www.gpb.org/news/2009/08/18/federal-board-clears-way-for-preliminary-work-on-nuclear-reactors

The new nuclear regulator approval process streamlines creation of 3rd gen reactors. Previous reactors were custom built and had to be certified every step of the way. When requirements changed every single change had to be certified.

The new process requires only 3 certifications
1) Preliminary site certification - this board allows NRC to provide preliminary permit.
2) Plant certification - already done. The AP1000 is a certified 3rd gen reactor.
3) Final certification

Instead of plants being custom built they MUST be exactly the same. Every AP1000 plants will be exactly the same in the United States. Every switch, light bublb, doorknob exactly the parts as certified in the plant certification.

The goal is to cut construction costs by standardizing the reactors vs custom built reactors.

This is one of 26 reactors currently pending. Most should have preliminary site certification in next 2 years and construction starts shortly after that. Estimated timeframe for construction and final cert if about 5 years.