Startup test phase of nuclear power plant

[Sommer]

A nuclear power plant that has been licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate but is still in the initial testing phase, during which the production of electricity may not be continuous. In general, when the electric utility is satisfied with the plants performance, it formally accepts the plant from the manufacturer and places it in commercial operation status. A request is then submitted to the appropriate utility rate commission to include the power plant in the rate base calculation.