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NRC - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
10/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/14/2026 11:31
NRC Updates AP1000 Design Certification, Streamlines Future Reactor Licensing
Updated Westinghouse AP1000 design incorporates lessons from Vogtle Units 3 and 4, extends certification to 2066
ROCKVILLE, Md. - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today updated and renewed the certification of Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor design, incorporating lessons from the construction and operation of Vogtle Units 3 and 4 (the nation's newest nuclear reactors) into the certified design.
The action gives future applicants a standardized, field-proven AP1000 design that reflects how the reactors were actually constructed and operated. It is intended to reduce duplicative regulatory reviews, lower licensing costs and help future AP1000 projects move through the NRC's licensing process more efficiently.
During the construction and startup of Vogtle Units 3 and 4, the NRC reviewed and approved nearly 200 license amendments. By incorporating applicable design changes and lessons learned from that experience into the renewed certification, future AP1000 applicants can reference an updated design rather than seeking separate approval for changes the NRC has already evaluated.
"The NRC's approval of the updated AP1000 design provides the regulatory foundation for America to move from building individual reactors to deploying them at scale," Chairman Ho K. Nieh said. "This is how safety-focused, enabling regulation reduces regulatory uncertainty and investment risk."
The renewed certification extends the AP1000 design's validity through 2066. Future applicants will still be required to obtain NRC approval for site-specific environmental, safety and security considerations, and today's action does not authorize the siting, construction or operation of any facility.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency.
NRC - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission published this content on October 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 14, 2026 at 17:31 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]