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Advanced Reactor Highlights - All
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.
NRC Issues Construction Permits to Kairos Power LLC
On November 21, the NRC staff issued construction permits CPTR-7 and CPTR-8 to Kairos Power LLC (Kairos) authorizing construction of the two reactors for the Hermes 2 test reactor facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Issuance of the permits was authorized by Commission Order CLI 24-03.Part 53 Proposed Rule Published in the Federal Register
On October 31, the Part 53 proposed rule was noticed in the Federal Register at 89 FR 86918, which would revise the NRC’s regulations by adding a risk-informed, performance-based, and technology-inclusive regulatory framework for commercial nuclear plants in response to the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA). For more information on the NRC’s Part 53 rulemaking activities, visit the Part 53 – Risk Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors webpage.NRC Releases Draft White Paper on "Nth-of-a-Kind" Licensing
On September 27, the NRC staff released a draft white paper on "Nth-of-a-Kind Micro-Reactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations", which discusses strategies to enhance regulatory clarity, reliability, and efficiency of licensing nth-of-a-kind micro-reactors (and potentially other technologies), considering rising stakeholder interest in rapid, high-volume deployment. The draft white paper will support planned engagement with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards and a separate public meeting with stakeholders in November, which will inform the final development of a related notation vote paper.