Westinghouse AP1000 Reactor Receives NRC Approval
January 20, 2006
The rule certifying the reactor, which will remain valid for 15 years, will be published in the Federal Register in mid-to-late January and become effective 30 days later. Approval of the AP1000 (1,100 megawatt) design is seen as a key milestone in the intensifying efforts of the nuclear energy industry to build new nuclear power plants in the U. S. Advanced safety features of the design include reliance on naturally occurring phenomena such as gravity, natural circulation and condensation. The design also incorporates modular construction techniques to shorten building time to about 36 months, according to Westinghouse. For details, see http://www.westinghousenuclear.com. Source: Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). |