From 40 to 60 to 80 Years – Lessons Learned and Approach to Subsequent License Renewal in the USA

Renewal of licenses for operating nuclear power plants in the United States is a mature and stable process, with 86 out of 99 plants operating with renewed licenses since issuance of the first renewed license in 2000 (and three other plants with renewed licenses are no longer operating). With the initial versions issued in 2001, the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) developed license renewal guidance documents, in particular the Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL) Report and the Standard Review Plan for Review of License Renewal Applications for Nuclear Power Plants (SRP-LR). Since initial issuance, the GALL Report and SRP-LR have been revised twice to incorporate lessons learned from reviews of license renewal applications, plant operating experience (both domestic and foreign) and new technical information to ensure adequate aging management in the license renewal operating period to 60 years. With plant operations extending well beyond 40 years, nuclear power plant operators have expressed interest in extending plant operation to 80 years. To prepare for this interest, the NRC has developed license renewal guidance documents applicable to subsequent license renewal for plants, for operation to 80 years. (author)