The Case for Streamlining the Reactor Process
Fast Tracking the Construction of Nuclear Reactors
Sep 15, 2008
Jack Spencer, a research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, writes in a new web memorandum that Congress should facilitate a “fast-track” process that would permit the speeding up of nuclear reactor building.
In “Time to Fast-track New Nuclear Reactors,” Spencer argues that despite the preparing and filing of applications for the construction of new reactors, no permits have been approved and no reactors are being built because “…the regulatory process remains arduous and unknown.”
The remedy, according to Spencer, is for Congress to “…authorize a fast-track permitting process for a limited number of reactor projects.” Since the problem is political, and not technical or economic in nature, Spencer says a political solution is in order.
According to the memorandum, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which processes applications for new reactors, says it requires at least three and a half years to issue the required design, site, and construction / operation licenses needed to begin construction on a reactor. During that time, environmental and design reviews are conducted and twelve months are set aside for public hearings.
Because it is not possible to just speed up the process, Spencer says, process streamlining that aims for a fifty percent reduction in processing time is necessary. In the memorandum, Spencer outlines the components of his proposed fast-track process.
The first component is focusing the resources of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on permitting fast-track applications, without sacrificing safety or quality assurance. Second, Spencer says, national laboratory capabilities should be forced to organize themselves to support fast-track applications. The third component says that university funding for nuclear education should be focused on supporting the fast-track process. Finally, Spencer says, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has to be able to make permit decisions based on science and engineering rather than being influenced by outside interests.
Applications for the fast-track program would have to meet certain criteria, the memorandum says. These include using a design already certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; an already proven reactor site that enjoys public support from the local community; an applicant experienced in nuclear operations and “in good standing” with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; proof of market necessity; a complete combined operations and construction license; demonstration of a financial commitment to the project and a secure source for long-lead components; and, finally, the payment of a program participation fee.
Of course, to make such a fast-track process a reality, the Congress would have to provide specific direction to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, and national laboratories, as well as provide adequate funding for the streamlining to occur.
