Advanced Reactor Highlights – 2025

NRC Accepts Long Mott Generating Station Construction Permit Application

On May 12, the NRC staff issued a letter communicating its determination that the Long Mott Generating Station construction permit application contains sufficient information to begin its detailed technical review. The NRC staff plans to provide a resource estimate and schedule for the completion of the safety and environmental reviews of the application in separate correspondence. Learn more.

NRC Issues an Exemption for the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1

On May 7, the NRC staff published an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact in the Federal Register and issued an exemption from the definitions of construction in 10 CFR 50.10, to US SFR Owner, LLC (USO), a subsidiary of TerraPower, for the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1. The exemption would allow USO to proceed with the construction of the energy island (EI) without the need for a limited work authorization while the NRC staff continues its construction permit application review. Learn more.

NRC Receives Long Mott Generating Station Construction Permit Application

On March 31, Long Mott Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, submitted a construction permit application for the Long Mott Generating Station (LMGS) which would be sited in Calhoun County, Texas. The LMGS project would be used to demonstrate the X-energy high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology and is supported by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. The NRC staff’s acceptance review of the application is ongoing. Learn more.

NRC Completes the Draft Safety Evaluation with Open Items for the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 Construction Permit Application

On February 26, the NRC staff issued a letter to inform US SFR Owner, LLC (USO), a wholly owned subsidiary of TerraPower, LLC, of the completion of the draft safety evaluation (SE) with open items for the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 construction permit application. Additionally, the letter discussed that the NRC staff is targeting completion of the final SE by June 2026, ahead of the August 2026 date communicated in the original schedule letter.

NRC Publishes New Microreactor Webpage

On February 24, the NRC staff published a new webpage specific to microreactors. The webpage also describes Regulatory Activities that staff is pursuing related to microreactors, including the recently issued Microreactor Integration Plan. Learn more.

NRC Holds Public Microreactor Workshop

On February 20, NRC staff held a hybrid public workshop to discuss the scope and prioritization of 36 microreactor licensing and deployment topics in the staff’s draft Integrated Microreactor Activities Plan (ML25036A199). Approximately 200 individuals representing a diverse set of technology developers, prospective applicants, industry groups, and other stakeholders attended the workshop. Participants provided positive feedback and support for the staff’s approach to addressing microreactor licensing and deployment topics. Participants also provided additional topics for consideration, feedback on prioritization and timing of several activities, related external initiatives, and recommendations for future targeted workshops.

Prospective Applicant Guide

On February 3, the NRC staff published a new webpage providing a guide for prospective applicants. The webpage was designed to provide information, guidance, and support for applicants who are currently in the development process of a nuclear reactor design or reactor-related project that have not yet contacted the NRC. The guide discusses the steps necessary for an applicant to take before reaching out to the NRC and provides the appropriate way to contact the NRC to start communications about a project. These pages are also a resource for those who have contacted the NRC and are looking for additional details on specific topics. Learn more.