US agencies take action to streamline nuclear roll-out
Separate announcements from the US Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission point towards streamlining the pathway to deployment of advanced reactor technologies.
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The announcements come weeks after President Donald Trump's raft of Executive Orders aimed at boosting US nuclear energy. Amongst other things, those orders mandated bodies including the Department of Energy (DOE) to expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced reactors, and ordered reforms to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with regulatory evaluation and approval of licence applications for new reactors to be completed within 18 months of starting the regulatory process.
The DOE has now launched a pilot programme to expedite the testing of advanced nuclear reactor designs under DOE authority outside of the national laboratories: the establishment of a pilot programme for the construction and operation of such reactors, with the goal of three reactors reaching criticality by 4 July 2026, was part of the Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy executive order. It has issued a Request for Application (RFA) as it seeks "qualified US reactor companies" interested in constructing and operating test reactors outside National Laboratory sites, which it says is "an important step toward streamlining nuclear reactor testing" and ensuring the 2026 deadline is met.
The pilot programme builds on current efforts to demonstrate advanced reactors on DOE sites through microreactor testbeds and other projects led by the Department of Defense and private industry, the DOE said. The programme is intended to foster research and development of nuclear reactors and not demonstrate reactors for commercial suitability. "Seeking DOE authorisation provided under the Atomic Energy Act will help unlock private funding and provide a fast-tracked approach to enable future commercial licensing activities for potential applicants," it notes.
The department said it will consider advanced reactors that have a "reasonable chance" of operating by July 2026. Applicants will be responsible for all costs associated with designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and decommissioning each test reactor, and will be competitively selected based on a set of criteria, including technological readiness, site evaluations, financial viability, and a detailed plan to achieving criticality.
"For too long, the federal government has stymied the development and deployment of advanced civil nuclear reactors in the United States," said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. "Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are expediting the development of next-generation nuclear technologies and giving American innovators a new path forward to advance their designs, propelling our economic prosperity and bolstering our national security."
The deadline for initial applications is 21 July.
NRC issues microreactor decisions
The NRC announced that it has reached decisions on three policy matters it says will help enable the deployment of microreactors - reactors generating "about one per cent or less" of the output of a current large-scale reactor, which would be built, loaded with fuel, and tested at factories before being shipped to operating sites.
The Commission has decided that a factory-fabricated microreactor loaded with fuel may be excluded from being considered to be "in operation" if it has features to prevent a nuclear chain reaction; that a microreactor with features to prevent a chain reaction may be loaded with fuel at a factory if it is done under an NRC licence that allows possession of the fuel; and that NRC staff may apply regulations for nonpower reactors to allow testing of a microreactor at a factory before it is shipped to an operating site.
The NRC said it has also directed its staff "to continue other microreactor-related activities, such as engaging with Department of Energy/Defense efforts to build and operate microreactors on DOE/DOD sites or as part of critical national security infrastructure," adding that the engagement "aims to identify and implement licensing process efficiencies, consistent with the ADVANCE Act and relevant executive orders, to streamline the transition of microreactor technology to the commercial sector."
Reorganising regulation
Meanwhile, the NRC's complement of Commissioners is currently down to four following Christopher Hanson's announcement that his role at the regulator has been terminated on the orders of President Donald Trump. "Late on Friday, President Trump terminated my position with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission without cause, contrary to existing law and longstanding precedent regarding removal of independent agency appointees," Hanson said. "My focus over the last five years has been to prepare the agency for anticipated change in the energy sector, while preserving the independence, integrity, and bipartisan nature of the world’s gold standard nuclear safety institution," he said, adding: "I continue to have full trust and confidence in their commitment to serve the American people by protecting public health and safety and the environment."
The NRC is headed by five Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for five-year terms, with a chairman designated by the President. Last year, the Senate renewed Hanson's renomination for a five-year term ending in June 2029. David Wright was appointed by President Trump to be chair of the NRC on 20 January, but his current term is due to expire at the end of this month. David Wright was been nominated to a second term as an NRC commissioner in a list of presidential nominations sent to the US Senate, dated 16 June.
The executive order on Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission which the President signed on 23 May calls for the regulator to be reorganised to promote "the expeditious processing of license applications and the adoption of innovative technology", and undertaking "reductions in force" in conjunction with this reorganisation".
Reacting to Hanson's departure, the American Nuclear Society said: "A competent, effective, and fully staffed US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is essential to the rapid deployment of new reactors and advanced technologies. The arbitrary removal of commissioners without due cause creates regulatory uncertainty that threatens to delay America’s nuclear energy expansion."
