NRC approves Westinghouse AP1000 design

Washington (Platts)--13Sep2004

Westinghouse is celebrating today after receiving the news that its AP1000
advanced reactor design received final approval from the NRC staff. As
anticipated, the staff issued a final safety evaluation report and design
approval today. The approval marks a milestone in the design certification
review process and will give Westinghouse an edge in marketing the design
overseas. Westinghouse says there are interested customers in Asia and Europe.
Unlike the current fleet of LWRs in the U.S., the AP1000 is designed for a
60-year operating life. The last step in the certification process requires
NRC to conduct a rulemaking, which includes a public comment period. The
agency anticipates issuing a standard design certification in the form of a
rule by December 2005, or possibly by up to five months earlier. If granted, a
design certification would be good for 15 years and renewable in terms of
10-15 years.

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