ML25128A354
| ML25128A354 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902028, Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Issue date: | 05/08/2025 |
| From: | Csontos A Nuclear Energy Institute |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk |
| References | |
| Download: ML25128A354 (1) | |
Text
Phone: 202.557.9727 Email: aac@nei.org Aladar Csontos Director, Fuel & Radiation Safety May 8, 2025 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001
Subject:
Consolidated Industry Comments to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2025-02, Planned Power Uprate-Related Licensing Submittals for All Power Reactor Licensees Project Number: 689
Dear Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Staff:
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI),1 on behalf of its members, submits this consolidated response to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) 2025-02, Planned Power Uprate-Related Licensing Submittals for All Power Reactor Licensees.
RIS 2025-02 requests information from holders of operating licenses or construction permits under 10 CFR Part 50, or combined licenses under 10 CFR Part 52 (excluding those that have permanently ceased operations and certified permanent removal of fuel), regarding planned power uprate-related licensing submittals. This information will assist the NRC in planning for future licensing reviews by informing budgetary and technical resource needs. The industry appreciates the NRCs proactive approach and commitment to early engagement with licensees regarding upcoming power uprate activities. This effort reflects a shared interest in ensuring timely and effective reviews of anticipated licensing actions.
In 2023, NEI conducted a member survey to assess the industrys activities to enhance operational performance of the current fleet of reactors through license renewals, power uprates, and extended fuel cycles (2023 Baseline Survey). A new NEI survey was conducted in mid-2024 to reflect how these plans have changed and published in The Future of Nuclear Power, 2024 Update Survey. Specifically, the survey determined that nearly 75% of the 95 operating units have a level of interest in power uprates for their units. This is significantly higher than the 50% seen in the 2023 survey and could provide over 3GWe of carbon-free nuclear energy in the coming decade, which is equivalent of three large light-water-1 The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) is responsible for establishing unified policy on behalf of its members relating to matters affecting the nuclear energy industry, including the regulatory aspects of generic operational and technical issues. NEIs members include entities licensed to operate commercial nuclear power plants in the United States, nuclear plant designers, major architect and engineering firms, fuel cycle facilities, nuclear materials licensees, and other organizations involved in the nuclear energy industry.
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation May 8, 2025 Page 2 Nuclear Energy Institute reactors. The updated survey and accompanying report were developed, in part, to provide the NRC with timely, actionable insights into the future anticipated licensing activities for power uprates, extended fuel cycles, and license renewals without releasing proprietary and/or business sensitive information.
In response to this RIS request for information, several utilities are planning to voluntarily submit their public and/or proprietary business-sensitive site-specific plans directly to NRC. NEI has also compiled a table of responses from member companies that elected to participate in this consolidated submittal. The attached table includes plant-specific information addressing each element requested in RIS 2025-02.
This table is intended to directly address the NRCs request and to support effective planning and resource allocation for upcoming licensing activities.
The nuclear industry remains committed to supporting the NRCs planning and resourcing efforts for future licensing activities. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and look forward to continued engagement on these important issues.
If you have any questions, please contact me at aac@nei.org or (202) 557-9727.
Sincerely, Aladar Csontos Director, Fuel & Radiation Safety
Attachment:
Table of Estimated Power Uprate Licensing Actions c:
Thomas Byrd, NRR Russell Felts, NRR Michael Mahoney, NRR Tony Nakanishi, NRR Aida Rivera-Varona, NRR NRC Document Control Desk
Attachment:
Table of Estimated Power Uprate Licensing Actions Plant Name and Unit Number(s)
Power Uprate Type (MUR, Stretch, EPU)
Expected Schedule for Filing (MM/YYYY)
Requested Completion date (MM/YYYY)
Planned CLTP Increase (MWt)
Power Increase from CLTP
(%)
Expected Date for Power Ascension (MM/YYYY)
Additional details or Related Significant License Actions Can NRC Staff Make This Information Public?
(Yes/No)
Energy Northwest-Columbia Generating Station Extended Power Uprate 2nd quarter 2028 4th quarter 2030 444 MWth 12.50%
Jun-31 Columbia Generating Station Plans to submit a combined application for EPU and MELLLA+
Yes Duke McGuire Station MNS 1&2 Extended Power Uprate 2nd Quarter 2027 4th Quarter 2028
~230 MWt per unit
~6.7% per unit Unit 1 4th Quarter 2029 Unit 2 4th Quarter 2030 Pursuing license amendments to address updates to Duke Energy in-house methodologies and transition to increased enrichment, high burnup fuel.
Yes Duke Catawba Station (CNS),
Unit 1 Extended Power Uprate 2nd Quarter 2028 4th Quarter 2029
~230 MWt
~6.7%
2nd Quarter 2031 Pursuing license amendments to address updates to Duke Energy in-house methodologies and transition to increased enrichment, high burnup fuel.
Yes Duke Brunswick Steam Electric Plant (BSEP),
Units 1 & 2 Measurement Uncertainty Recapture 1st Quarter 2027 4th Quarter 2027
~50 MWt per unit
~1.7% per unit Unit 1 1st Quarter 2028 Unit 2 1st Quarter 2029 None Yes