Key Issues
Nuclear Power 2010: A Key Building Block for New Nuclear Power Plants
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Complete Designs Are Essential
Completing the detailed designs for the two selected reactor technologies is an essential part of testing the new process because it will help ensure that applications for combined construction and operating licenses are complete and meet NRC standards for license applications.
Completing the two designs includes:
Moving Forward With Licensing and Construction
Nuclear Power 2010 is moving toward its goal of seeing new nuclear plant construction under way in the United States early in the next decade. In addition to those companies working directly with DOE through Nuclear Power 2010, many other companies are encouraged enough to move forward with developing plant license applications and discussing financing with company boards of directors and with the financial community. Approximately 30 new U.S. reactors are in varying stages of planning. Most of the announcements for potential new reactors have come from companies involved in the Nuclear Power 2010 program. These announcements confirm that the program is on the right track and underscore the need for continued government funding.
Complete Designs Are Essential
Completing the detailed designs for the two selected reactor technologies is an essential part of testing the new process because it will help ensure that applications for combined construction and operating licenses are complete and meet NRC standards for license applications.
Completing the two designs includes:
- Engineering necessary for design certification. Typically, this part of the project represents less than half the total cost of completing a design.
- Engineering necessary to support an application for a combined construction and operating license. This is essential to testing the licensing process.
- Finalization of the designs (often called first-of-a-kind-engineering). This is essential so the reactor vendors have a solid basis on which to quote prices to electric utilities. Companies planning new generating capacity need accurate pricing information so they can complete economic evaluations related to potential investments in new nuclear reactors.
Moving Forward With Licensing and Construction
Nuclear Power 2010 is moving toward its goal of seeing new nuclear plant construction under way in the United States early in the next decade. In addition to those companies working directly with DOE through Nuclear Power 2010, many other companies are encouraged enough to move forward with developing plant license applications and discussing financing with company boards of directors and with the financial community. Approximately 30 new U.S. reactors are in varying stages of planning. Most of the announcements for potential new reactors have come from companies involved in the Nuclear Power 2010 program. These announcements confirm that the program is on the right track and underscore the need for continued government funding.