Through GAIN, U.S. Department of Energy — in close coordination with Nuclear Regulatory Commission — provides nuclear technology developers with regulatory framework development and licensing support. This support and its outcomes take a variety of forms and continue to evolve as technologies mature.
A few high-impact actions that have recently been completed, or are nearing completion, are listed below. If you’d like more information, contact Jim Kinsey, Regulatory Affairs Interface, at [email protected] or 208-569-6751.
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Regulatory Update: NRC Issues Construction Permit for Molten Salt Research Raactor at Abilene Christian University
September 16, 2024 – The NRC has issued a Construction Permit to Abilene Christian University (ACU) to build its Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) facility on the university’s campus in Abilene, Texas. It marks the first research reactor project approved by the NRC in a number of decades. The MSRR, which will not generate electricity,…
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Regulary Update: NRC Accepts Construction Permit Application for Terrapower, LLC’s Commercial Reactor in Wyoming
May 21, 2024 – The NRC formally accepted a construction permit application submitted by TerraPower, LLC , on behalf of US SFR Owner, LLC (USO), a wholly owned subsidiary of TerraPower, for the commercial Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 (Kemmerer Unit 1) to be located in Lincoln County, Wyoming.
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Regulatory Update: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission endorses guidance for advanced reactor licensing – Advanced Reactor Content of Application Project (ARCAP)
March 24, 2024 – The NRC issued new guidance documents to facilitate the licensing process for non-light water reactor designs. This ARCAP guidance was developed to support near-term advanced reactor applicants under 10 CFR Part 50 and Part 52, and also support the 10 CFR Part 53 rulemaking effort. It reflects a technology-inclusive, risk-informed and…
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Regulatory Update: NRC Expands its International Memorandum of Cooperation to Include UK Regulator
March 12, 2024 – The NRC expanded its previous international cooperation agreement with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to now also include the United Kingdom Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR). This Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) is intended to result in increased collaboration on the technical reviews of advanced reactor and small modular reactor technologies.…
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Regulatory Update: Commission Provides Direction to NRC Staff Regarding Part 53 Rulemaking
March 4, 2024 – In response to prior Commission direction, the NRC staff developed draft proposed rule 10 CFR Part 53, “Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Commercial Nuclear Plants,” (Part 53). The draft proposed rule offers a voluntary, performance-based alternative regulatory framework for licensing future commercial nuclear plants.