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NRC bases new regulations around TVA (B&W SMR) technology
August 10, 2015 | By Jaclyn Brandt

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is focusing on small modular reactors (SMR), after one utility decided to try out a new technology in their service area.

The NRC voted 4-0 this week to direct their staff to develop emergency preparedness (EP) regulations for SMRs -- as well as other reactor technology, like such as non-light-water reactors (non-LWRs) and medical isotope production facilities.

Because of advancements in reactor designs, NRC felt it was "reasonable" to consider a new EP framework, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).

"We are pleased with the commission's approval to take the next steps to establish a regulatory framework for emergency preparedness that reflects the design and safety advantages of SMRs and other new technologies," NEI Senior Director for New Plant Licensing Russ Bell said in a statement.

NRC has given their staff a nine-month target to complete the plan.

"NRC's action on this issue is timely, given the progress small reactor vendors and prospective customers are making to submit licensing documents to the NRC," NEI explained.

In September, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced the plans to NRC to change their and build a brand new type of reactor. In the proposal, TVA said they plan to implement two or more small reactors at their Clinch River site. The utility's site permit application will SMR-appropriate emergency plans, as well as a request for exemptions from certain EP requirements that are necessary pending revisions to the regulations, according to NEI.

The Early Site Permit (ESP) application that TVA is preparing uses a "plant parameter envelope," which can encompass "any of the leading U.S. light water reactor SMR technologies," NEI said. TVA received funds from the Department of Energy (DOE) in 2012 for small reactor designs -- in a partnership with Babcock & Wilcox Co.

"Under the program, the TVA-B&W partnership would deploy up to four of Generation mPower LLC's 180-megawatt-electric advanced light water reactors at TVA's Clinch River site, with the aim of providing clean, reliable electricity to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory," NEI explained.

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/nrc-bases-new-regulations-around-tva-technology/2015-08-10