NRC presents nuclear licensing approach

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Energy Department and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have presented licensing plans.

The two government bodies presented the Next Generation Nuclear Plant Licensing Strategy Report to Congress Monday. The report describes the licensing, tools, research and development, and resources required to license an advanced reactor design by 2017.

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, government agencies are required to develop a strategy for licensing new nuclear plants, and that is the goal of the NGNPLS report.

In April the Energy Department received public and industry comments to help develop their licensing strategy. Like France, India and other countries, the United States wants to build new nuclear plants to meet growing demand and generate clean energy amid concern over global climate change.