NuScale notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in January 2008 of its intent to begin the Pre-Application Review process. This process is a forerunner of the preparation of a Design Specific Review Standard (DSRS), Design Certification Application (DCA), and eventual customer combined Construction & Operating License (COL) application.
NuScale is a pioneer in pre-application NRC engagement, having begun the process in July 2008. NuScale has engaged in an aggressive pre-application program consisting of nearly 40 technical meetings and submittals covering a broad range of technical and regulatory topics. NuScale has engaged the NRC in topics such as safety analysis, nuclear fuel, test programs, seismic analysis, and control room staffing. The objectives of the pre-application process are to inform the NRC of the NuScale unique Power Module and power plant design features and approach, resulting in review criteria applicable to NuScale in the form of an NRC-issued NuScale DSRS. Pre-application engagement will continue through DCA submittal, currently forecast for 2015.
While the DCA review process is underway, NuScale expects an applicant to file a COL , allowing the design and COL review processes to proceed on parallel paths. The design ultimately certified by the NRC will be incorporated in the COL. This supports the likely commercial dates of interest in the marketplace.
Regulatory procedures and timeline:
- Licensing – An NRC approved DCA and COL are required prior to construction. The company is in the pre-application review phase with the NRC. The DCA is expected to be submitted in second half 2015, followed by a COL application.
- Initial Operations – NuScale forecasts the first plant will go into operation
in the early 2020s.
Read about the
NuScale project on NRC's website.