(a) After conducting a hearing in accordance with § 53.1315 and receiving the report submitted by the ACRS, the Commission may issue a CP only if the Commission finds that—

(1) The applicant has described the proposed design of the facility and has identified the major features or components incorporated therein for the protection of the health and safety of the public;

(2) Such further technical or design information as may be required to complete the safety analysis, and which can reasonably be left for later consideration, will be supplied in the FSAR;

(3) Safety features or components, if any, that require research and development have been described by the applicant and the applicant has identified, and there will be conducted, a research and development program reasonably designed to resolve any safety questions associated with such features or components; and

(4) On the basis of the foregoing, there is reasonable assurance of the following—

(i) Such safety questions will be satisfactorily resolved at or before the latest date stated in the application for completion of construction of the proposed facility; and

(ii) Taking into consideration the site criteria contained in subpart D to this part, the proposed facility can be constructed and operated at the proposed location without undue risk to the health and safety of the public.

(b) A CP must contain the terms and conditions for the permit, as the Commission deems necessary and appropriate. The Commission may, in its discretion, incorporate in any CP provisions requiring the applicant to furnish periodic reports of the progress and results of research and development programs designed to resolve safety questions.