Docket No. 52-020

Summary

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an exemption in response to an April 17, 2024, letter from Framatome Inc. (Framatome), which requested an extension to the exemption from regulatory requirements regarding the annual reports required by regulations (hereafter "required report") for the U.S. EPR standard design certification application for the years 2024-2028. The regulation for which exemption is sought covers emergency core cooling systems (ECCS) for light-water nuclear power reactors. Staff review of the U.S. EPR standard design certification application was suspended in April 2015 at the request of the applicant. Framatome committed to submit the required report before any request to reactivate the U.S. EPR review. Framatome further committed to providing an update to the required report, or taking other appropriate action, as necessary, no later than December 31, 2028. The NRC staff reviewed this request and determined that it is appropriate to grant the exemption in accordance with the regulations as the request does not present an undue risk to public health or safety and is consistent with the common defense and security; furthermore, special circumstances exist.

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