Federal Register #2026-13386

NRC Grants Exemption for Early AP1000 Design Certification Renewal Application by Westinghouse

This notice concerns a regulatory exemption granted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC regarding the AP1000 nuclear reactor design certification. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - OEMs and Vendors: - Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (OEM of the AP1000 nuclear reactor) - Products/Services Requested: - No procurement of products or services is requested in this notice - The exemption allows Westinghouse to submit a renewal application for the AP1000 design certification earlier than the standard 36-month pre-expiration window - Unique or Notable Requirements: - The exemption is intended to enable Westinghouse to incorporate construction and operating experience from existing AP1000 plants into the design control document - The NRC will review the renewal and any associated amendments separately to ensure regulatory compliance - No contract, purchase, or solicitation for goods or services is involved in this announcement

Description

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued an exemption in response to an April 7, 2026, request from Westinghouse Electric Company LLC. The exemption allows Westinghouse to apply for renewal of the AP1000 design certification more than 36 months before the expiration of the initial 40-year period. This exemption facilitates updating the design control document to reflect construction and operating experience from AP1000 nuclear power plants, enabling consistency and standardization in future applications. The NRC staff will review the renewal request and associated amendment separately to determine compliance with regulatory requirements.

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