NRC Denies NuScale's Reactor Embrittlement Method Proposal
Published Date: 7/23/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The NRC said no to a request from NuScale Power to change how we calculate steel embrittlement in nuclear reactors. They found no urgent safety problems or new info to justify updating the rules. So, steel reactor vessel safety checks stay the same, with no new costs or deadlines for anyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Petition Denied — No Regulatory Change
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission denied a petition dated August 19, 2019 (docketed September 11, 2019; Docket No. PRM-50-120) from NuScale Power asking to add an alternative formula for calculating the mean transition temperature shift in ASTM E900-15. The NRC said the petitioner did not show an immediate safety issue or provide new information, so reactor vessel embrittlement rules and safety checks remain the same and there are no new costs or deadlines for anyone involved.
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