Self-Guarantee of Decommissioning Funding by Non-Profit and Non- Bond Issuing Licensees

Résumé

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to amend its regulations to allow additional materials licensees and non-electric utility reactor licensees who meet certain financial criteria to self- guarantee funding for decommissioning. Certain commercial corporate licensees who issue bonds are presently allowed to self-guarantee funding if they meet stringent financial criteria. The proposed rule would allow non-profit licensees, such as colleges, universities, and hospitals, and also some commercial licensees who do not issue bonds, to self-guarantee funding, provided they meet similarly stringent financial criteria. Allowing qualified non-profit and non-bond-issuing licensees to use self-guarantee would reduce the costs of complying with NRC financial assurance requirements while providing adequate confidence to the NRC that funds for decommissioning will be available when needed.