COL
Combined License
A Combined License (COL) from the NRC authorizes both construction and operation of a nuclear power plant under 10 CFR Part 52.
COLs incorporate certified reactor designs and site-specific approvals, reducing regulatory uncertainty. Issued for 14 units at Vogtle and V.C. Summer (AP1000), with recent applications for SMRs. Validity spans 40 years, renewable.
Why it matters now
COL amendments in 2025-2026 enable SMR restarts like NuScale's Carbon Free Power Project, critical for data center PPAs.