Alert

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the NRC has ceased normal operations. However, excepted and exempted activities necessary to maintain critical health and safety functions—as well as essential progress on designated critical activities, including those specified in Executive Order 14300—will continue, consistent with the OMB-Approved NRC Lapse Plan.

Large Light Water Reactors

Large Light Water Reactors (LWR) are reactors generating at least 700 MWe using ordinary water as coolant. This includes boiling water reactors (BWRs) and pressurized water reactors (PWRs), the most common types of operating reactors in the United States.

Currently there are no large LWR designs under review by NRC staff. Applications for certification of large LWR designs include the ABWR, APR1400, AP1000, ESBWR, US-APWR and the U.S. EPR. The ABWR, APR1400, AP1000 and ESBWR have been certified in Appendices A, F, D, and E of 10 CFR Part 52.