NRC reinstates Bellefonte construction permits

摘要

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has decided to reinstate the construction permits for Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) two unfinished units at the Bellefonte site in North Alabama.rnIn 2006, TVA decided not to complete construction of the two 1213MWe pressurised water 'reactors and asked the NRC to withdraw the construction permits for the units. Then in August last year, due to changing power-generating economics, the utility decided that completion of the units might be viable and asked for the permits to be reinstated. The NRC has reinstated the construction permits. However they classify the reactors as "terminated" in status, which recognises that the structures, equipment and records have notrnbeen continuously maintained. TVA asked the NRC to reinstate the permits with the reactors classified as "deferred," but it denied the request. NRC chairman Dale Klein said: "The Commission policy statement on deferred plants is clear and demanding with respect to the condition ofrnthe facilities and the quality of plant records. The Bellefonte reactors simply do not meet that threshold right now."