ML20133A981

Informs That NRC Has Approved Rules Certifying Two Evolutionary Reactor Designs:Asea Brown Boveri-Combustion Engineering Sys 80+ & GE Nuclear Energy ABWR

ML20133A981
Person / Time
Site:	05200001, 05200002
Issue date:	12/18/1996
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Murkowski F SENATE, ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
References
NUDOCS 9701020204
Download: ML20133A981 (1)

Text

/ \ UNITED STATES

/* NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g )T(- -4 WASHINGTON, D.C. 2055tW)001

%, / December 18, 1996 v

CHAIRMAN The Honorable Frank Murkowski, Chairman Committee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved rules certifying two evolutionary reactor designs. These are the ASEA Brown Boveri-Combustion Engineering System 80+ and General Electric Nuclear Energy's Advanced Boiling Water Reactor.

Previously, reactor designs were generally approved by the NRC's Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation as part of the licensing process for a specific plant rather than by rulemaking. This new process gives industry an option to l seek approval by rulemaking for a generic reactor design. A standard reactor i design permits a utility to apply for a combined license in place of the i historical two-step process involving separate proceedings at both the construction permit and operating license si. ages. These designs are for ,

nuclear power facilities capable of producing about 1300 megawatts of l electricity, which is slightly more power than the largest reactors in use by .

industry today. j NRC invited public comment on the proposed rules and environmental assessments covering design certification, and provided an opportunity to request an informal hearing before an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. Also, NRC conducted a series of public meetings for the purpose of clarifying the provisions of the rules and affording the public opportunity for comments.

We are now in the process of preparing the final rules to be published in the Federal Register next year.

Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson cc: Senator J. Bennett Johnston 9701020204 961218 \

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