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 Scott Ferrara, Regulatory Affairs Interface, at scott.ferrara@inl.gov or 208-390-5697.
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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.
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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.