Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
some representatives noted that NRC has already fallen behind schedule in
reviewing the early site permits that three electric power companies submitted as
part of a DOE demonstration program to stimulate power companies to apply to
NRC for a combined construction and operating license. The early site permits
address site suitability matters such as safety and environmental issues and, once
obtained, can be used as a reference in a combined license application to
streamline the site suitability portion of the application.[27] NRC acknowledged
the delays, attributing them to a learning process under new procedures and
regulations; an unexpectedly large number of public comments received
electronically; and, in one case, the applicant's decision to change the design.
Electric power companies have notified NRC that they plan to submit license
applications to build and operate at least 29 new reactors. To prepare, NRC has
implemented a design-centered approach that encourages applicants to use a
standardized design for each reactor manufacturer with variations only to address
the site's local characteristics, such as environmental conditions. NRC also has
created a separate Office of New Reactors to oversee the licensing process, plans
to hire 400 additional staff by fiscal year 2008, and is developing a more robust
system to handle electronic comments. NRC expects to review license
applications and issue a decision within 42 months. However, while it has issued
its draft regulatory guidance for submitting and reviewing the combined license
applications, NRC does not expect to finalize the guidance until March 2007.
A second challenge that investors face is public opposition to nuclear power.
According to the nuclear energy industry, public support for nuclear power has
increased in recent years, primarily as a result of the industry's improved safety
record and a growing awareness that nuclear power production releases few
greenhouse gases.[28] Electric power companies plan to construct most of the
announced new reactors at existing nuclear power plants in the southeast United
States, where public opinion is more favorable toward nuclear power. Reactor
projects at existing nuclear power plants also benefit from existing power
transmission lines and historical environmental data for the required
environmental impact assessment. However, industry officials acknowledge that
public support is fragile and note that a nuclear accident anywhere in the world
could undermine this support.
A third challenge facing nuclear energy is the high capital costs to build new
nuclear reactors and a potential shortage of skilled workers. Nuclear energy
representatives expect a new nuclear power plant to cost between $1.5 billion and
$4 billion—more than double the cost of a comparably sized conventional coal-
fired plant. These costs may increase if (1) transmission lines need to be installed
or upgraded, (2) significant delays occur during construction or start-up
