LICENSE RENEWAL AND SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL IN THE US

As of February 2014, the NRC has renewed the operating licenses for 73 nuclear units, allowing for up to 60 years of safe operation. In addition, the NRC has license renewal applications under review for 18 units and 9 additional units have announced plans to submit applications over the next few years [1]. This brings the total of renewed licenses and plans for renewal to 100% of the operating nuclear units in the U.S. By the end of 2014, there will be 38 nuclear plants that will have operated for more than 40 years and will be eligible to seek a subsequent license renewal (or almost 40% of the nuclear units expected to be operating at the end of 2014). In 2013, nuclear plant owners of 5 units shutdown operation or announced plans to shutdown by the end of 2014. However, most of the remaining operating plant owners are keeping the option open for long term operation beyond 60 years. NRC and the U.S. nuclear industry have made significant progress in preparing the way for subsequent license renewal applications. This paper presents the status of the U.S. license renewal process and issues being addressed for possible applications for subsequent renewals for up to 80 years of operation.