NRC Power Plant License Renewal
EVS is supporting the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) licensing activity, which aims to maintain current vital nuclear energy capacity and prepare for licensing the next generation of nuclear reactors. There are currently 104 operating nuclear power plants in the United States that produce 20% of the nations electricity supply. Most of these plants are approaching their initial license life of 40 years. More than half of the plants have applied for, or are in the process of applying for, license extensions for another 20 years under the NRC's License Renewal Rule. By statutory requirement, the NRC must complete its review of license renewal applications over the next few years for facilities requesting for such extensions. License extensions for existing power plants are crucial to the nation's ability to maintain a continuous supply of cost-effective energy as the nuclear energy industry transitions to the next generation of nuclear power plants. Site-specific environmental assessments are a vital component of the license renewal process. In 1973, under the purview of the newly created National Environmental Policy Act, Argonne scientists began developing Environmental Impact Statements for nuclear power plants for the Atomic Energy Commission, and later for the NRC. Through this work, Argonne has become recognized for its capability in preparing energy-related environmental assessments. Argonne's multidisciplinary research teams have led or contributed to environmental assessments for more than a dozen nuclear power plant reactor license renewals, and are expected to lead the effort in the next few years. Argonne's assessment results are used to help confirm that plants are operating within established regulatory requirements. Argonne also recommends appropriate actions, should mitigation be required.
The scope of these assessments include consideration of potential individual and cumulative impacts over the license renewal period related to human health, air quality, water and soil, ecosystems, waste management, land use, resource requirements, environmental justice, cultural resources, and socioeconomics. The support to NRC can also involve providing expert testimony at public hearings. The experience gained through operating license renewals is providing valuable "lessons learned" for NRC's future initiatives such as the Early Site Permit process and the Combined Construction and Operating License for new power reactors.
Related Topics
Related Fact Sheets
Related Web Sites
Contact
|
