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NRC Issues Construction Permit to US SFR Owner

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.

NRC Accepts SMR, LLC’s Limited Work Authorization Application

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).

NRC Accepts Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC’s Early Site Permit Application

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.

NRC Issues Construction SECY Paper

On December 16, the NRC staff delivered SECY-25-103 “Update on Development of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Advanced Reactor Construction Oversight Program,” which updates the Commission on NRC staff’s development of the Advanced Reactor Construction Oversight Program (ARCOP). This paper specifically provides the staff’s planned approach for advanced reactor construction inspections, inspection finding significance determination process (SDP), enforcement, and project quality assessment. ARCOP development is part of a broader effort to enable the safe use of advanced nuclear technologies in keeping with recent Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act.

NRC Completes Safety Review of Kemmerer Power Station Construction Permit Application

The NRC staff completed a historic milestone in finishing our review of the Construction Permit application for TerraPower's Natrium Reactor near Kemmerer, WY. The safety evaluation and environmental review detail the staff's work, and are representative of the focused effort the NRC has placed on enabling the safe deployment of nuclear power. Learn more.

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NRC Issues Construction Information Paper

On August 28, the NRC staff delivered SECY-25-0074 "Expedited Construction of Certain Structures, Systems, and Components" to the Commission. This information paper describes how the staff will apply the regulatory definition of construction moving forward, which provides developers additional flexibility in getting large construction projects started prior to a full NRC licensing decision. The approach is part of a broader mission to enable the safe use of advanced nuclear technologies in keeping with recent Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act.

NRC Issues Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1

On June 18, The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), as the lead agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as a cooperating agency, have completed a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) in response to a construction permit application submitted by TerraPower, LLC (TerraPower) on behalf of US SFR Owner, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of TerraPower, for Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1. Members of the public are invited to submit comments on the DEIS by August 4, 2025. Please see to view the Federal Register notice. Learn more.

NRC Issues Nth-of-a-Kind SECY Paper

On June 18, the NRC staff delivered SECY-25-0052 "Nth-of-a-Kind Microreactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations," which seeks Commission approval for the NRC to afford finality to standard operational programs or requirements submitted by applicants and reviewed and approved by the NRC staff in connection with a design certification or manufacturing license application. This paper also describes the staff’s strategy for licensing of nth-of-a-kind microreactors to enable the safe and secure deployment of these reactors on optimized timeframes. Learn more about NRC microreactor activities.

NRC Issues NuScale Standard Design Approval

On May 29, the NRC staff issued the NuScale US460 Standard Design Approval, to NuScale Power, LLC, authorizing the use of the approved design in applications for construction permits, operating licenses, and combined licenses. Learn More.

NRC Receives Clinch River Construction Permit Application

On May 20, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted to NRC the second, and final, part of its construction permit application to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The NRC staff’s acceptance review of the application is ongoing. Learn More.

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