Reactor License Renewal Guidance Documents

These documents can be found below (if available) or by using NRC's on-line document retrieval system ADAMS located in the NRC Library. Should you need assistance in locating documents of interest, we encourage you to contact the reference staff in our Public Document Room.

On this page:

• Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL)
• Inspection Manual Chapters (IMCs) and Procedures (IPs)
• License Renewal Interim Staff Guidance (LR-ISG)
• Regulatory Guide 1.188, Revision 2
• Office Instructions (OIs)
• Regulatory Guides (RGs)
• Standard Review Plan (SRP)
• Technical Reports in the NUREG Series (NUREGs)
• Nuclear Plant Aging Research (NPAR) ReportsThe GALL Reports

In 2010 the following license renewal guidance documents were updated: the "Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL) Report," and the "Standard Review Plan for Review of License Renewal Applications for Nuclear Power Plants." NUREG-1950, "Disposition of Public Comments and Technical Bases for Changes in the License Renewal Guidance Documents NUREG-1801 and NUREG-1800" was updated in 2011. NUREG-1950 supersedes NUREG-1832, "Analysis of Public Comments on the Revised License Renewal Guidance Documents," and NUREG-1833, "Technical Bases for Revision to the License Renewal Guidance Documents."

In 2017, the following guidance documents for subsequent license renewal was issued: "Generic Aging Lessons Learned for Subsequent License Renewal (GALL-SLR) Report," (NUREG-2191) and the "Standard Review Plan for Review of Subsequent License Renewal Applications for Nuclear Power Plants," (NUREG-2192).

For additional information about guidance document updates, see Guidance, Updates, Schedule and Background.

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Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL)

The purpose of the GALL Report is to provide the technical basis for the Standard Review Plan for License Renewal and the purpose of the GALL-SLR Report is to provide the technical basis for the Standard Review Plan for Subsequent License Renewal. The GALL Reports contain the staff's generic evaluation of the existing plant programs and documents the technical basis for determining where existing programs are adequate without modification and where existing programs should be augmented for the extended period of operation and the subsequent period of operation. The GALL reports also contains recommendations on specific areas for which existing programs should be augmented for license renewal.

• Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL) Report, NUREG-1801
  • LR-ISGs for GALL Report Revision 2
• Generic Aging Lessons Learned for Subsequent License Renewal (GALL-SLR) Report, NUREG-2191
  • SLR-ISGs for GALL-SLR Report
• Disposition of Public Comments and Technical Bases for Changes in the License Renewal Guidance Documents NUREG-1801 and NUREG-1800, NUREG-1950
  • LR-ISGs for SRP-LR Revision 2
• Disposition of Public Comments and Technical Basis for the Subsequent License Renewal Guidance Documents NUREG-2221 and NUREG-2222, respectively
  • SLR-ISGs for SRP-SLR

Inspection Manual Chapters (IMCs) and Procedures (IPs)

The purpose of the IMCs and IPs is to guide the staff in conducting inspections to ensure that licensees meet the NRC's regulatory requirements:

• IMC 2515, "Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program – Operations Phase," provides guidance to NRC headquarters and regional office staff, as well as consultant personnel, regarding review and inspection activities to ensure the safe operation of light-water reactors, including post-approval site inspections associated with license renewal (see IP-71003, below).

• IMC 2516, "Policy and Guidance for the License Renewal Inspection Programs," provides guidance to NRC headquarters and regional office staff, as well as consultant personnel, regarding review and inspection activities associated with an applicant's license renewal program.

• IP-71002, "License Renewal Inspections," provides the procedures for inspecting and verifying the documentation, implementation, and effectiveness of the programs and activities associated with an applicant's license renewal program. For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions on License Renewal of Nuclear Power Reactors (NUREG-1850).

• IP-71003, "Post-Approval Site Inspection for License Renewal," provides the procedures for inspecting and verifying the completion of license renewal commitments and license conditions that have been added as part of the renewed license, and ensuring that selected aging management programs (AMPs) are implemented in accordance with the license renewal regulations. For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions About License Renewal Inspection Procedure (IP) 71003.

License Renewal Interim Staff Guidance (LR-ISG)

License renewal guidance documents, such as SRPs and GALL Reports have been developed to enhance the license renewal application process. As lessons are learned during license renewal application and subsequent license renewal application reviews, it is expected that these guidance documents may need to be revised to capture new insights or to address emerging issues. LR-ISG improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the license renewal process by providing guidance to license renewal applicants and other interested stakeholders until that guidance can be incorporated into a license renewal guidance document revision. For more information, such as a list of the current LR-ISGs, please view the Web page for License Renewal Interim Staff Guidance.

Regulatory Guide 1.188, Revision 2

Regulatory Guide 1.188, Revision 2, provides format and content for applications and endorses NEI 17-01. However, applicants may elect to use other suitable methods or approaches for satisfying the Rule's requirements and completing a license renewal application. However, the NRC staff will determine the acceptability of alternative methods on a case-by-case basis.

• "Industry Guidelines for Implementing the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 54 - The License Renewal Rule," NEI 17-01, provides an acceptable approach for implementing the requirements of 10 CFR Part 54, the License Renewal Rule, hereinafter referred to as the Rule, for Subsequent License Renewal (SLR). The process outlined in this guideline is founded on industry experience in implementing the Rule for initial license renewal and on the lessons learned from that industry experience that can be applied to SLR. It is expected that following this guideline will offer a stable and efficient process, resulting in the issuance of a renewed license.

Office Instructions (OIs)

The NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)'s OI program defines the processes by which NRR staff and managers develop and maintain OIs and thereby improve NRR's efficiency and consistency in performing its various activities and functions. The pertinent license renewal OIs establish procedures for the license renewal application review process, define the roles and responsibilities of the staff organizations involved in a license renewal application review, and provide guidance for the consideration of environmental issues.

Regulatory Guides (RGs)

The purpose of the RG is to provide guidance to licensees and applicants on implementing specific parts of the NRC's regulations, techniques used by the NRC staff in evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, and data needed by the staff in its review of applications.

• Standard Format and Content for Applications to Renew Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses, Regulatory Guide 1.188, Rev. 2, endorses the industry license renewal document NEI 17-10

• Preparation of Supplemental Environmental Reports for Applications To Renew Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses, Supplement 1 to Regulatory Guide 4.2, provides guidance on the format and content of an environmental report to be submitted as part of a license renewal application.

Standard Review Plans (SRP)

The purpose of the SRP is to assure quality and uniformity of staff reviews and to present a well defined base from which to evaluate a licensee's application.

• Standard Review Plan for License Renewal, NUREG-1800, incorporates by reference the Generic Aging Lessons Learned Report and Regulatory Guide 1.188.

• Standard Review Plan for Review of Subsequent License Renewal Applications for Nuclear Power Plants, NUREG-2192, incorporates by reference the Generic Aging Lessons Learned for Subsequent License Renewal (GALL-SLR) Report

• Environmental Standard Review Plan, NUREG-1555, Operating License Renewal Supplement 1, provides guidance in implementing the 10 CFR Part 51, related to new site/plant applications and license renewal.

• Disposition of Public Comments and Technical Bases for Changes in the License Renewal Guidance Documents NUREG-1801 and NUREG-1800, NUREG-1950

• Disposition of Public Comments and Technical Basis for the Subsequent License Renewal Guidance Documents NUREG-2221 and NUREG-2222, respectively
  • SLR-ISGs for SRP-SLR

Technical Reports in the NUREG Series (NUREGs)

Note – See all NUREGs for plant license renewal safety evaluation reports.

NPAR Reports

Nuclear Plant Aging Research (NPAR) Reports is a collection of literature on mechanical, structural, and thermal-hydraulic components and systems providing a systematic review of plant aging information in order to assess materials and component aging issues related to continued operation and license renewal of operating reactors.