Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 8ebf2253-f3d2-4bcd-ac80-7cbf6ab8d420
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Assuring the Availability of Funds for Decommissioning Nuclear Reactors + HISTORY –HISTORY 02/2022 – DG-1348 Revision 1, Proposed Revision 3 06/2018 – DG-1348 , Proposed Revision 3 11/2016 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Reviewed with no issues identified 01/2011 – DG-1229 , Proposed Revision 2 05/2001 – DG-1106 , Proposed Revision 1 05/1989 – DG-1003 , Proposed Revision 0 (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2134/ML21347A081.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-05
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.159
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
sment of the major factors that could affect the cost to decommission and the plans for adjusting levels of funds. For a prematurely shutdown reactor, this step may involve the licensee submittal of a site-specific decommissioning cost estimate under 10 CFR 50.82(a)(4)(i) or 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(iii). Also, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.82(c) or 10 CFR 52.110(l), for licensees that shut down their reactors prematurely, the collection period for any shortfall of funds will be determined on a case-by-case basis upon application by the licensee, taking into account the specific financial situation of each licensee. As required by 10 CFR 50.75(f), this estimated amount of decommissioning funds is to be based on a then-current assessment of major factors that could affect decommissioning costs and is to include relevant, up-to-date information. The third step is a licensee evaluation of its planned decommissioning activities, the schedule for their completion, and an update to its estimated costs to decommission the facility. This step would include development and submittal of a PSDAR, a site-specific decommissioning cost estimate, and an irradiated fuel management plan. Together, these steps provide reasonable assurance that the NRC’s objective will be met—namely, at the time of permanent end of operations, sufficient funds are available to decommission the reactor in a manner that protects public health and safety. Methods of Financial Assurance The NRC regulations in 10 CFR 50.75(e) specify the general requirements for methods that are considered acceptable for providing reasonable assurance of the availability of funds for decommissioning nuclear facilities. These methods and how they are evaluated are discussed in detail in the supplementary information to the NRC rulemaking action that established the requirements (“General Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear Facilities” (53 FR 24018, dated June 27, 1988; 61 FR 39301, dated July 29, 1996; and 62 FR