Nuclear regulators lighten microreactor restrictions

AI generated summary

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has announced a new policy that eases restrictions on microreactors, a new class of smaller, factory-made nuclear reactors. This policy allows technicians to load nuclear fuel into certain microreactors without triggering the stringent regulations that apply to conventional reactors. The NRC's decision is aimed at promoting the development of these transportable reactors, which are designed with safety features to prevent criticality, and allows for operational testing under more lenient regulations typically reserved for non-commercial research reactors.

Microreactors, which generate less than 20 MW of thermal energy, are seen as ideal for applications such as microgrids, emergency response, and non-electric uses like hydrogen production and water desalination. Although there are currently no commercial microreactors in operation, the Department of Defense is exploring several initiatives, including Project Pele, which aims to commission a working reactor next year. The NRC's new policy is part of a broader effort to develop a regulatory framework that accommodates the unique characteristics of microreactors, potentially paving the way for their integration into the future energy landscape.