The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted TerraPower’s construction permit application for review, marking the first time in more than 40 years that the NRC has docketed this type of application for a commercial non-light water reactor.
The advanced reactor company, based in Bellevue, Washington, and backed by Bill Gates, is seeking permission to build its Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming as part of a demonstration project supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE).
If approved, the construction permit will be the first issued by the NRC for a commercial non-light water power reactor.