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NRC RIN: 3150-AG24 Publication ID: Fall 2005 
Title: Early Site Permits; Standard Design Certifications; and Combined Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants 
Abstract: The proposed rule would amend the Commission’s requirements for early site permits, standard design certifications, and combined licenses for nuclear power plants, and for other licensing processes. The amendments are based on the NRC staff’s experience with the previous design certification reviews and on discussions with stakeholders about the early site permit (ESP), design certification, and combined license (COL) processes. This action is expected to improve the effectiveness of the licensing processes for future applicants. The rulemaking also would make conforming clarifications and corrections to the NRC’s regulations. The NRC is proposing to reorganize 10 CFR part 52 to establish a separate section for each of the licensing processes currently described in 10 CFR part 52 (early site permits, early site reviews, standard design certification, standard design approvals, combined licenses, and manufacturing licenses) . The purpose of this reorganization would be to clarify that each licensing process has equal standing. In addition, several subparts would be reserved for future licensing processes. No substantive changes are intended by the incorporation of current Appendices M, N, O, and Q into the new subparts in 10 CFR part 52. The NRC is also proposing to retitle 10 CFR part 52 as "Additional Licensing Processes for Nuclear Power Plants," to clarify that the licensing processes in 10 CFR part 52 are in addition to and supplement the two-step licensing process in 10 CFR part 50 and the license renewal process in 10 CFR part 54 and are not limited to the early site permit, standard design certification, and combined license processes as the current title implies. The proposed rule would amend section 52.1 to clarify that all licensing processes are within the scope of 10 CFR part 52. Sections within current Appendices M, N, O, and Q would also become new sections of the revised part. In addition, the proposed rule would reserve sections for future licensing processes. In doing so, the NRC hopes to convey that 10 CFR part 52 is the preferred location in 10 CFR for nuclear power plant licensing processes. The proposed rule subsumed the rulemaking "Standardized Plant Designs, Early Review of Sites Suitability Issues; Clarifying Amendments" (RIN 3150-AE25) that would remove redundant Appendices M, N, O, and Q from part 50. The part 52 rulemaking plan (SECY-98-282) was approved by the Commission on January 14, 1999. As a result of the comments received and a number of other factors, the Commission decided that a substantial rewrite and expansion of the original rulemaking would be necessary to ensure that the entire body of NRC regulations is able to support the Agency’s licensing and regulation of future nuclear power facilities under part 52. 
Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 10 CFR 2    10 CFR 20    10 CFR 50    10 CFR 51    10 CFR 52    10 CFR 72    10 CFR 73    10 CFR 140    10 CFR 171   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 2201    42 USC 5841   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  07/03/2003  68 FR 40025   
NPRM Comment Period End  09/16/2003    
NPRM  11/00/2005    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Related RINs: Merged with 3150-AE25 
Agency Contact:
Jerry N. Wilson
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation,
Washington, DC 20555-0001
Phone:301 415-3145
Email: jnw@nrc.gov

Nanette Gilles
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of New Reactors,
Washington, DC 20555-0001
Phone:301 415-1180
Email: nanette.gilles@nrc.gov

Harry S. Tovmassian
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation,
Washington, DC 20555-0001
Phone:301 415-3092
Email: harry.tovmassian@nrc.gov