Advanced Reactor Highlights - All

RG 4.7 Rev 4

On February 29, 2024, the NRC staff published RG 4.7, Revision 4, “General Site Suitability Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations” (89 FR 14743) which describes the major site characteristics related to public health and safety and environmental issues that the NRC staff considers in determining the suitability of sites for commercial nuclear power stations.
 

Advanced Reactor Annual SECY

On February 27, 2024, the NRC staff submitted SECY-24-0020, “Advanced Reactor Program Status,” to update the Commission on progress made during calendar year 2023 on the staff's advanced reactor licensing and readiness activities, such as addressing key technology-inclusive rulemaking and policy issues, interactions with current and prospective applicants and other stakeholders, and continued development of the expertise and regulatory processes necessary to allow innovation and the commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors.

NRC Staff Conducts Meetings in Connection to X-energy | Dow Proposed Construction Permit Application in Calhoun County, Texas

On February 14 and 15, the staff held government-to-government meetings and a public outreach meeting to discuss NRC review processes in preparation for the planned X-energy/Dow Chemical construction permit application for deployment of X-energy’s Xe-100 design at the Dow Seadrift operations site in Calhoun County, TX. There were approximately 70 people in attendance at the public outreach meeting. Interested in learning more visit:ML24086A299.

Micro-reactor SECY

On January 24, 2024, the staff delivered SECY-24-0008 "Micro-Reactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations: Fuel Loading and Operational Testing at a Factory" to provide the Commission with options for regulating certain aspects of fuel loading and operational testing of commercial factory-fabricated micro-reactors. This paper also seeks Commission direction on whether a factory-fabricated micro-reactor that includes "features to preclude criticality" would require a facility operating license or a combined license when loaded with fuel.

Meeting with Global Laser Enrichment, LLC

 

Meeting with National Organization of Test, Research, and Training Reactors

Topics:

• Annual conference update
• Non-power production or utilization facility draft final rule
• Perspectives on options for special nuclear material rulemaking
• Information notice on research and test reactors
• Research and test reactor 50.59 guidance

Meeting with Energy Harbor Nuclear

Topics:

• Operating fleet updates
• Corporate update

Meeting with Oklo Inc.

Topics:

• Aurora X licensing activities, including white papers
• Potential reprocessing application

Meeting with Terrestrial Energy, USA

Topics:

• Regulatory and engineering update on integral molten salt reactor
• NRC cooperation with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
• Anticipated future interactions with NRC

Site visit - Brunswick