Westinghouse Responds to NRC Chairman Statement on AP1000 Review Issues

PITTSBURGH, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Westinghouse is confident in the AP1000 design and its passive safety features, as it is one of the most studied, reviewed and analyzed nuclear power plant designs in the history of the commercial nuclear power industry.  No other reactor design has received such scrutiny before or has gone through such thorough analytical review by the NRC and the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), as well as highly respected independent experts and university scholars.   

Accordingly, Westinghouse will continue to work with the NRC as part of the normal licensing process to address the few remaining confirmatory items, none of which are safety significant and several of which are self-identified by Westinghouse.

The AP1000 design takes proven Westinghouse technology to the next level of safety with its passive cooling safety features; it is a testament to Westinghouse's commitment to make nuclear power even safer than it already is.  It was Westinghouse ingenuity and foresight years ago that have resulted in the AP1000 being recognized today as a highly preferred technology in light of recent events.  The AP1000 is a safe, robust design and is worthy of receiving design certification.

SOURCE Westinghouse