The Nuclear Regulatory Commission last week announced a proposed rule for microreactor approval under 10 CFR Part 57.
The regulatory framework under Part 57 aims to enable rapid deployment of microreactors and other reactor technologies with similar risk profiles, according to NRC’s April 24 press release.
Under the proposed Part 57 rule, it allows for requesting approval of fleets of identical reactors, streamlining environmental reviews for projects with demonstrated minimal impacts and creating a path for limited construction before receiving an NRC permit.
NRC expects accelerated licensing and deployment timelines of possibly 6–12 months for construction permits and operating licenses. In a Friday media availability call, NRC Chair Ho Nieh said that the simplification of the microreactor safety designs allows for these reactors to have a shorter licensing process.
“We’re looking at designs here that have very simple safety cases,” Nieh said. “There’s not a lot of complex safety equipment that needs to be activated during an event that would occur at a facility so this is really geared toward very very simple machines, very simple safety systems that have a safety case that’s really suited for high volume licensing.”
This change is expected to save $3.76–$11.84 billion, depending on the discount rate, through reducing exemption requests and streamlining reviews, according to the release.
The proposed rule’s Federal Register is scheduled to be published on May 6, but is subject to change, NRC said. This rule announcement comes weeks after the Part 53 rule was finalized. Part 53 is designed to take a risk-informed, technology-inclusive approach to provide an accelerated and cost-effective review for advanced reactors.