It's the first construction permit application to be reviewed by the NRC in more than 40 years for a commercial non-light-water reactor.
May 23, 2024
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) accepted TerraPower’s construction permit application for review, marking the first time in more than 40 years that the NRC has docketed a Part 50-based application for a commercial non-light-water reactor.
The advanced reactor company, based in Bellevue, Washington, is seeking permission to build its Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, as part of a demonstration project supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
If approved, the construction permit will be the first ever issued by the NRC for a commercial non-light-water power reactor.
A Step Foward for Advanced Reactor Licensing
TerraPower's application applied new technology-inclusive guidance that was recently issued by the NRC to ensure consistency, quality, and uniformity of reviews for non-light-water reactor applicants.
The new guidance included an endorsement of the industry-led TICAP project to deliver a more risk-informed review of the safety analysis report.
The project is an important next step in implementing the licensing modernization project, which was supported by DOE and also involves collaboration with industry and the NRC.
"We're excited to have our construction permit application docketed for review by the NRC," said Jeff Navin, the director of external affairs for TerraPower. "By implementing the licensing modernization project framework, TerraPower is helping to demonstrate a more streamlined approach to licensing non-light-water advanced reactors."
A Win for Wyoming
The Natrium reactor is a 345-megawatt electric sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt energy storage system that is being designed to flexibly operate with renewable power generators to help decarbonize the electric grid.
The first Natrium reactor will be built in Lincoln County, Wyoming, near the retiring Naughton coal plant—a transition to nuclear power that could bring new economic and environmental benefits to the community.
Non-nuclear construction on the project is expected to start later this summer.
Natrium is one of two clean energy projects supported by the U.S. Department Energy through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to demonstrate first-of-a-kind reactor technologies.
Both projects are managed through the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and are implementing the licensing modernization project methodology.