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: