Licensing fuel for extended burnup operation

During the last 5 yr, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received several licensing submittals in support of applications for extended burnup fuel operation. These licensing submittals can be divided into three categories: general topical reports submitted by each fuel vendor that demonstrate that no generic problems exist for extended burnup operation; new criteria and analytical models submitted for use in analyses in support of extended burnup operation; and fuel design changes submitted specifically for extended burnup operation. Each of these licensing submittals has been reviewed by the NRC to assure that extended burnup operation will result in safe fuel operation and no degradation in fuel performance