The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued an exemption
for TerraPower’s Natrium demonstration nuclear power plant project at Kemmerer in Wyoming allowing the company to progress certain “energy island” activities while regulators continue reviewing the construction permit application for the overall project.
The energy island will store excess heat to increase electricity output from the planned Natrium nuclear plant during high demand periods.
The NRC said allowing certain activities related to the energy island will not present an undue risk to public health and safety and that “special circumstances” are present.