28 Feb (NucNet): A combined licence (COL) application has been submitted to US regulators for the potential construction of a new reactor unit next to the Grand Gulf nuclear power plant in Mississippi.

US utility Entergy and the NuStart Energy Development consortium said yesterday the COL application had been submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission although no firm decision had yet been taken to build the unit if the application is eventually approved.

Entergy also announced plans to submit a COL application for a new unit at its River Bend nuclear power plant in Louisiana later this year.

NuStart announced in September 2005 that it would seek licences for new units at the existing nuclear plant sites of Bellefonte in northern Alabama, owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Entergy�s Grand Gulf. TVA and Entergy are both members of the NuStart consortium.

The Grand Gulf COL application uses the GE-Hitachi next generation advanced economic simplified boiling water reactor (ESBWR) technology, a design referenced late last year in a similar licence application submitted by Dominion Virginia Power.

The Grand Gulf plant has a 1,266-megawatt boiling water reactor (BWR) that began commercial operation in 1985. River Bend has a 978-MW BWR that began commercial operation in 1986.

� Compiled by John Shepherd

>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)

River Bend Joins List Of Potential New US Nuclear Plant Sites (World Nuclear Review No. 141, 30 September 2005)

NuStart Takes Next Step Towards New US Reactor Units (News No. 8, 12 January 2006)

Entergy Signs Reactor Agreement With GE-Hitachi (News in Brief No. 19, 31 July 2007)

Source: NucNet

Editor: editors@worldnuclear.org

28 Feb (NucNet): The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has renewed the operating licence of the Darlington nuclear power plant in Ontario for five years until February 2013.

The CNSC, which announced its decision on 26 February, concluded that plant operator Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is qualified to carry out licensed activities at the plant and will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment and health and safety.

The CNSC said that OPG and CNSC staff should present a status report on the implementation of the licence conditions at a public meeting of the commission in about two years� time.

Darlington comprises four 878-megawatt Candu pressurised heavy water reactors. In September 2006, OPG submitted an application to the CNSC for a site preparation licence that could lead to building new units at Darlington.

>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)

Ontario Gives Go-Ahead For Possible New Nuclear Build (News No. 124, 14 June 2006)

Application For Potential New Units At Second Canadian N-Plant (News No. 207, 26 September 2006)

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Source: NucNet