Licence extension for Davis-Besse

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

The Davis-Besse nuclear power plant in Ohio can operate until 2037 after the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) renewed the reactor's operating licence for a further 20 years.

The single-unit Davis-Besse plant (Image: Fenoc)

First Energy Nuclear Operating Company (Fenoc) applied to the renew the licence of the 908 MWe pressurized water reactor in August 2010. The licence had been due to expire in April 2017.

The NRC's decision to extend the unit's licence, the operator said, follows extensive safety and environmental review, public meetings and comments. The NRC issued a safety evaluation report in September 2013 and a supplement was issued in August this year. A supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April.

First Energy Generation president James Lash said, "Today's NRC decision is another key milestone that helps ensure the continued operation of a vital baseload power plant in Ohio. The licence extension secures an important source of carbon-free power for our region while providing thousands of family-sustaining jobs and significant financial support for the community."

First Energy said it has invested almost $1 billion to help ensure continued safe and reliable operations of Davis-Besse through the period of extended operation. This includes the installation of a new reactor vessel head in 2011 and two new steam generators in 2013.

In addition to the Davis-Besse plant, First Energy operates the Perry nuclear power plant in Ohio and the Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania.

Under the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the NRC is allowed to issue licences for nuclear power reactors to operate for up to 40 years. The original 40-year period reflected the amortization of capital rather than the likely lifespan of a reactor, and the NRC is allowed to extend licences for additional 20-year periods provided the reactor is deemed safe to continue operating.

Davis-Besse is the 81st US nuclear unit to receive a licence renewal, and the NRC is currently in the process of reviewing 13 more renewal applications.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News