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: 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.
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Regulatory Update: Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Updates Regulatory Priorities for New and Advanced Reactors
February 12, 2024 – NEI submitted a letter to the NRC providing an update to industry’s regulatory priorities that are intended to lead to a more modern and efficient regulatory framework for new and advanced reactors.
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Regulatory Update: NRC Issues Final Rule for Emergency Preparedness for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Other New Technologies (ONTs)
December 18, 2023 – The NRC has issued the final rule regarding emergency preparedness. The rule and related NRC guidance were effective on December 18, 2023 and address how state-of-the-art facility designs and safety research apply to future operation of small modular reactors and other new technologies.
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Regulatory Update: NRC Issues Construction Permit for Kairos Hermes Test Reactor in Tennessee
December 14, 2023 – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a construction permit to Kairos Power LLC for the company’s Hermes non-power test reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The permit authorizes Kairos to build a 35-megawatt thermal reactor that would use molten salt to cool the reactor core. Kairos submitted its application to build the…
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Regulatory Update: NRC Accepts Construction Permit Application for Kairos Hermes 2 Project for Test Reactors in Tennessee
September 11, 2023 – The NRC formally accepted a construction permit application submitted by Kairos Power LLC for its Hermes 2 project. The project consists of two low-power test reactors to support development of Kairos Power’s fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) technology.