Details: TerraPower filed the application in March, requesting a permit to build the sodium-cooled advanced reactor design on a site near an existing coal-fired power plant. The 345-MWe Natrium plant includes an energy storage system to temporarily boost output up to 500 MWe when needed.
If the NRC ultimately issues the permit, TerraPower would need to submit a separate operating license application to obtain permission to run the reactor.
NRC staff has determined that the application contains sufficient information for the agency to formally docket the application and begin its safety and environmental reviews. Docketing the application is not an indication of whether the NRC will issue the construction permit.
Notes: The notice appeared in the June 4 Federal Register and includes instructions for filing hearing requests. The filing deadline is Aug. 5.
Information about the regulation of new reactors is available on the NRC website.
A copy of the TerraPower construction permit application is also available on the NRC website and at the Lincoln County Library–Kemmerer, 519 Emerald St., Kemmerer, Wyo.