GE Hitachi nuclear reactor wins US design approval

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, an alliance of General Electric Co (GE.N: Quote) and Japan's Hitachi Ltd (6501.T: Quote) won final design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its next-generation reactor, clearing the way for final certification later in the year.

The decision means all technical issues have been resolved over the economic simplified boiling water reactor, clearing the way for the reactor to be built in countries that recognize U.S. standards, GE Hitachi said.

The NRC is reviewing a license application by a Michigan utility, to use the reactor. DTE Energy Co (DTE.N: Quote) subsidiary Detroit Edison has begun the initial stages of site development at a location 35 miles (56 km) south of Detroit.

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