CX-015990: TerraPower Traveling Wave Reactor Research and Development Activities at Idaho National Laboratory

This environmental checklist covers TerraPower research in developing a new Generation IV nuclear power plant based on its Traveling Wave Reactor (TWR) concept. TWRs take advantage of a “breed-and-burn” process by which fissile material is bred in situ from natural or depleted uranium (DU) to sustain power operations for decades without enrichment or reprocessing. The breed-and burn nuclear fuel cycle minimizes reliance on enriched uranium, and would allow TerraPower to deliver an economical and sustainable energy source without increasing proliferation concerns. The Prototype Traveling Wave Reactor plant (TWR-P) is currently in the design phase.