Nuclear Regulation: License Renewal Questions for Nuclear Plants Need to Be Resolved
RCED-89-90
Published: Apr 03, 1989. Publicly Released: May 04, 1989.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the effects of aging on nuclear power plants, focusing on: (1) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) program to develop a license renewal policy and accompanying regulations; and (2) efforts by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the electric utility industry to extend the lives of nuclear plants.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Regulatory Commission | The Chairman, NRC, should: (1) accelerate the schedule for developing license renewal regulations and stipulate the basis that will be used to evaluate renewal applications and the types of records, engineering analyses, and other historical information needed to support a request for continued operations; and (2) resolve the outstanding technical, environmental, and procedural uncertainties. |
Closed – Implemented
The Commission agreed that NRC should accelerate its efforts to resolve license renewal issues and requested the staff to complete a final rule by April 1992. At the time GAO completed audit work, NRC expected to issue a final rule by 1991. Therefore, GAO does not believe NRC has fully responded to this recommendation.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Electric utilitiesEnergy industryEnergy researchFacility managementIndependent regulatory commissionsLicensesNuclear powerplant safetyNuclear powerplantsObsolete facilitiesSafety regulation