Disposal of Large Reactor Components - Rulemaking to Address Funding of Disposal Costs

摘要

The paper will explore the current challenges of financing the disposal costs for disposing of large reactor components such as reactor pressure vessel heads and steam generators and the resulting delays in disposal caused by the current regulatory requirements. The paper also will discuss a recent rulemaking petition submitted by EnergySolutions to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission designed to improve the regulatory process by providing a process to permit funds from decommissioning trust funds to be used to fund disposal of large reactor components. If granted, the disposal of these large components could be expedited where reactor licensees have sufficient decommissioning trust funds available. Perspectives on the rulemaking will be addressed.