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This rulemaking action will provide a risk-informed, performance-based regulatory framework for nuclear power plants.  Because Part 50 is currently large light water reactor-centric, this rulemaking is primarily intended for advanced reactors, but could be used by small modular reactors or any other non-large light water reactors.  An ANPR was developed in the early 2000's, but the rulemaking effort has not advanced.  This rulemaking could result in a new part (e.g., Part 53), a new subpart to Part 50, or other revision to Part 50 and/or Part 52.

The Commission approved the staff's latest recommendation to defer rulemaking for risk informed and performance-based part 50 reactor requirements for advanced reactors until after the development of the licensing strategy for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP), or receipt of an application for a Pebble Bed Modular Reactor design certification or combined license.  The Commission directed the staff to provide a recommendation on initiating rulemaking 6 months after the development of the licensing strategy for the NGNP is finalized. The staff informed the Commission that it will defer rulemaking until after NGNP licensing test review (approximately 2015-2017).  Because the NRNP project is being terminated, there is no near-term licensing test to use as a basis for determining how this rulemaking should proceed.  As a result of the long delay (approximately 10 years) and lack of regulatory initiator for this rulemaking, the staff is cancelling this rulemaking.