Most recent model could be destined for Bellefonte site

The expansion of nuclear power in the United States depends on the next generation of reactors that are to be standard in design, easier to manufacture, modern and safe.

TVA's Bellefonte plant is scheduled - though no final agreement has been announced - to house two of the new reactors, the AP 1000, designed by Westinghouse.

But the Westinghouse model design that was certified by federal regulators in early 2006 was later changed by the company, a move Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials say was unprecedented.

As a result, the schedule for completing the design review has been pushed back by the NRC.

The changes have also raised questions about the wisdom of designing nuclear plants - several plant proposals, including Bellefonte, have been submitted to the NRC - based on a changing reactor design.

A Westinghouse spokesman said the AP 1000 is the model of choice for 14 planned reactors that are being sought by utilities across the Southeast. The proposed reactors would cost between $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion each, in today's dollars, the Tennessee Valley Authority said. That includes not only reactor purchases but construction of the plants around them.

As of Friday, the NRC said it cannot set a firm date for completing its review of the Westinghouse design. NRC officials said they expect the review process to continue into 2011, at least a year later than had been originally scheduled.

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