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:
fication of the reporting period for power reactors licensed under Part 50 or Part 52 on the status of decommissioning funds from biennial to triennial. Additionally, this revision of the RG clarifies the guidance for non-power production or utilization facilities and fuel reprocessing plants. Discussion According to 10 CFR 50.2, “Definitions,” decommission means to remove a facility or site safely from service and reduce residual radioactivity to a level that permits (1) release of the property for unrestricted use and termination of the license; or (2) release of the property under restricted conditions and termination of the license. As used in this context, “facility” refers to the contaminated components (or noncontaminated components required to be dismantled to obtain access to contaminated components) of the site, buildings and contents, and equipment associated with all NRC-licensed activities within the scope of 10 CFR 50.75. There are three primary methods of decommissioning: DECON is the method in which the equipment, structures, and portions of a facility and site containing radioactive contaminants are removed or decontaminated to a level that permits the property to be released for use, in accordance with the NRC’s definition of decommission, shortly after cessation of operations. SAFSTOR is the method in which the nuclear facility is placed and maintained in a condition that allows it to be safely stored and subsequently decontaminated (deferred decontamination) to a level that permits the property to be released for use in accordance with the NRC’s definition of decommission. ENTOMB is the method in which radioactive contaminants are encased in a structurally long- lived material, such as concrete. The entombed structure is appropriately maintained, and continued surveillance is carried out, until the radioactivity decays to a level permitting release of the property for use in accordance with the NRC’s definition of decommission. So