This one-page fact sheet contains a graphic illustrating the process and an approximate timeline for licensing and building a new reactor.
July 20121. A company that is considering construction of a nuclear energy plant first chooses a site and a reactor design, either separately or together. If the company has enough lead time before it needs to build new generating capacity, the company may apply to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for an early site permit (ESP) and “bank” the site for future use.
The NRC provides an opportunity for a public hearing on ESP applications. If advance site selection is not feasible, the company can designate a site in connection with its application for a combined construction and operating license (COL).
2. The company selects a reactor design—typically a design certified by the NRC or one undergoing certification review. During the certification process, the NRC provides
opportunities for public comment on reactor design safety issues. Successful completion of NRC certification designates that the reactor is safe for operation.
3. The company develops a COL application, which takes about two years. Absent an early site permit, the application will include both safety and environmental information. The application is submitted to the NRC.
4. NRC review of the COL application is estimated to take three years. Before making a decision on the application, the NRC provides an
opportunity for a public hearing on COL-related issues. When the NRC is satisfied that all issues have been resolved, the agency issues a COL.
5. The NRC staff monitors construction through its inspection program and uses pre-specified inspections, tests, analyses and acceptance criteria to determine if the completed plant conforms to the approved design. Construction will take about four years.
At least 180 days before uranium fuel is loaded into the reactor, the NRC provides notice of the intended plant operation in the Federal Register.6. The NRC provides an
opportunity for an additional public hearing on whether the plant, as constructed, complies (or will comply) with the NRC’s acceptance criteria defined in the license. Requests for a hearing at this late stage must show that the NRC’s acceptance criteria either have not been or will not be met. Requests also must specify how this would compromise public safety.
7. The electric company performs startup testing of the new reactor systems and equipment. With satisfactory completion of this process, the plant is fully operational.
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here for a graphic of the process.