2021-01860: Alignment of Licensing Processes and Lessons Learned From New Reactor Licensing

Summary

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is requesting comments on a regulatory basis to support a proposed rule that would amend the NRC's regulations for the licensing of new nuclear power reactors. The NRC's goals in amending these regulations would be to ensure consistency in new reactor licensing reviews, provide for an efficient new reactor licensing process, reduce the need for exemptions from existing regulations and license amendment requests, address other new reactor licensing issues deemed relevant by the NRC, and support the principles of good regulation, specifically openness, clarity, and reliability. The NRC plans to hold a public meeting to promote a full understanding of the rulemaking, discuss the regulatory basis, and facilitate public participation.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 8 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 10 CFR 2 Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure
• 10 CFR 21 Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance
• 10 CFR 26 Fitness for Duty Programs
• 10 CFR 50 Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities
• 10 CFR 51 Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions
• 10 CFR 52 Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants
• 10 CFR 55 Operators' Licenses
• 10 CFR 73 Physical Protection of Plants and Materials