Alert

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the NRC has ceased normal operations. However, excepted and exempted activities necessary to maintain critical health and safety functions—as well as essential progress on designated critical activities, including those specified in Executive Order 14300—will continue, consistent with the OMB-Approved NRC Lapse Plan.

Current and Future Advanced Reactor Landscape

Artist rendering of an eVinchi Reactor

Advanced Reactor Ready

The NRC’s strategic transformation and modernization enables the safe deployment of advanced reactors. The NRC is prepared to license a wide array of technologies.
Click the above button to see the current and future advanced reactor landscape.

Application Status

image of Long Mott Generating Station Construction Permit Application - On March 31, 2025, Long Mott Energy, LLC submitted a construction permit application that would demonstrate the X-Energy high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology in Calhoun County, Texas

Long Mott Generating Station Construction Permit Application

On March 31, 2025, Long Mott Energy, LLC submitted a construction permit application that would demonstrate the X-Energy high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology in Calhoun County, Texas

Application Status

On March 28, 2024, TerraPower submitted a Construction Permit Application for their proposed Natrium Sodium Fast Reactor near Kemmerer, Wyoming

TerraPower Natrium – SFR

On March 28, 2024, TerraPower submitted a Construction Permit Application for their proposed Natrium Sodium Fast Reactor near Kemmerer, Wyoming

Read The Paper

Image of Micro-Reactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations: Fuel Loading and Operational Testing at a Factory

Optimizing the Regulatory Framework for Microreactors

SECY-25-0052 – Nth-of-a-Kind Microreactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations

Information on MOC

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US NRC – Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission – United Kingdom Office of Nuclear Regulation MOC

The three agencies signed a memorandum of cooperation to increase regulatory cooperation

Learn More About 10 CFR Part 53

Image of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Headquarters, One White Flint North, Rockville Maryland

Modernizing Regulations: 10 CFR Part 53

Part 53 shifts regulatory requirements to be modern and technology-inclusive. Essential for advanced reactors.

Advanced Reactors

The NRC refers to non-light water reactor (non-LWR) designs and small modular light water reactors (SMRs) as advanced reactors. These reactors incorporate innovative technologies compared to existing operating reactors, such as passive safety features, alternative fuel or coolant types, or smaller reactor sizes. While non-LWRs use distinct technologies and materials, SMRs are a subset of light water reactors that are designed to be more compact, scalable, and potentially safer, with many sharing features like passive safety systems and advanced engineering designs.