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On March 31, 2026, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) submitted its construction permit application for its proposed microreactor based on Nano Nuclear Energy Inc.'s KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor technology. The proposed facility would be a non-power high-temperature gas-cooled research reactor to be located on the U. of I. campus. The NRC staff’s acceptance review of the application is ongoing. Learn more.
On March 25, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a new licensing pathway that accelerates safe, innovative reactor deployment and reinforces U.S. energy leadership, marking the first new reactor licensing framework in decades. The rule, known as Part 53, is designed to provide optionality and make licensing advanced nuclear reactors faster, simpler, and more cost-effective while continuing to prioritize safety. Part 53 introduces technology-inclusive safety standards, increased flexibility for reactor design and operation based on risk analyses, graded security requirements, and innovative features to accelerate reactor deployment. Learn more.
On March 9, the NRC staff issued construction permit CPAR-1 to US SFR Owner, LLC (USO), a wholly owned subsidiary of TerraPower, LLC (TerraPower), authorizing construction of the Kemmerer Power Station, Unit 1 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Issuance of the permit was authorized by Commission Order CLI-26-5. Learn more.
On February 13, 2026, the staff accepted SMR, LLC’s application for a phased construction permit application, including a limited work authorization (LWA) request. The LWA application requests NRC approval to conduct certain early construction activities of a dual-unit SMR-300 plant located at the Palisades Energy Center in Covert, Michigan. The acceptance letter includes milestones to issue the final safety evaluation and final environmental impact statement by March 2027. A Notice announcing the acceptance, requesting comments, and offering an opportunity to request a hearing and petition for leave to intervene was published in the Federal Register on February 27, 2026 (91 FR 9892).
On February 8, the staff accepted Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC’s application for an early site permit (ESP) at the Belews Creek site, North Carolina. The acceptance letter includes milestones to issue the final safety evaluation and final environmental impact statement by May 2027 (15 months from acceptance). A Notice announcing the acceptance and offering an opportunity to request a hearing and petition for leave to intervene was published in the Federal Register on February 9 (91 FR 5787). Learn More.
