Video summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is actively evolving its regulatory frameworks to support the rapid innovation occurring in the advanced reactor sector while maintaining an unwavering commitment to safety. Historically, regulations such as Parts 50 and 52 were designed specifically for large light water reactors and utilized a deterministic approach based on conservative assumptions. Part 50 follows a traditional two-step licensing process involving separate construction permits and operating licenses, which allows applicants like Kairos Power and TerraPower the flexibility to modify designs between phases. In contrast, Part 52 introduced a one-step combined license that requires complete designs upfront to promote standardization, though it has seen limited use outside of specific units at Vogtle.
To address the needs of modern advanced reactors, the NRC is developing more adaptable pathways through Parts 53 and 57. Part 53 represents a significant shift toward a risk-informed, performance-based, and technology-inclusive framework that serves as an alternative to the older parts. This new approach leverages risk insights to focus on critical safety issues while allowing applicants the flexibility to propose tailored design features for various technologies, sizes, and commercial end uses. Complementing this, the proposed Part 57 aims to facilitate rapid licensing for micro-reactors and other small-scale units that rely heavily on passive safety features. These regulations are structured around strict entry criteria regarding accident consequences and fuel limits, ensuring that high-volume deployment can proceed safely and efficiently.
Beyond the specific regulatory parts, the NRC has implemented the Advanced Reactor Construction Oversight Program (ARCAP) to modernize how construction is overseen. ARCAP provides a scalable, risk-informed approach that adapts to diverse construction methods, ranging from large-scale traditional builds to modular and factory-built reactors. A key component of this program is the emphasis on early engagement between the NRC and developers, which strengthens communication and establishes continuous feedback loops. These mechanisms allow potential issues to be identified and resolved sooner, helping to keep projects on track throughout their lifecycle.
Ultimately, the combination of Parts 50, 52, 53, and 57, along with the ARCAP program, creates a comprehensive regulatory ecosystem designed for responsible innovation. This integrated framework ensures consistent safety expectations while enabling flexible licensing that accommodates various design maturities and business models. By continuously modernizing these rules based on lessons learned from previous applications, the NRC supports the advanced reactor community in preparing for future energy needs. The agency remains dedicated to providing full lifecycle, risk-informed support that balances the drive for technological advancement with the core principle of public safety.
Read the full video transcript
Advanced reactors are driving innovation
across the energy landscape.
The NRC's enhanced regulatory frameworks
are evolving along with these
technologies.
>> The NRC's mission has always been
safety, and that remains unchanged.
Today's technologies require clear, more
adaptable pathways, and that's what our
new frameworks provide.
>> Let's take a closer look at how the
NRC's frameworks compare.
>> Parts 50 and 52 were designed large
light water reactor licensing in mind.
Most of the currently operating nuclear
power plants were licensed under a
two-step process described in 10 CFR
Part 50. The first step is issuance of a
construction permit, followed by
issuance of an operating license after
construction has been substantially
completed.
The Part 50 framework uses a
deterministic approach to demonstrate
safety based on specific design
requirements with conservative
assumptions.
>> In recent years, the NRC has seen a
resurgence of interest from industry and
applications submitted using the Part 50
two-step process.
Licensing under this part is ideal for
applicants who may want the opportunity
to modify their reactor design between
the CP and OL phases. The NRC issued
construction permits to Kairos Power for
the Hermes and Hermes 2 test reactors in
2023 and 2024.
And TerraPower for the Natrium power
reactor in early 2026.
Part 50 is the only regulatory framework
applicable to license research reactors.
>> Part 52 builds on Part 50 requirements,
remains oriented toward large light
water reactors, and uses deterministic
methods supplemented by risk insights.
Part 52 is only been used for Vogtle
Units 3 and 4 among the operating fleet.
>> Part 52 created a one-step combined
license process, requiring complete
designs upfront and enabling
incorporation of design certifications,
manufacturing licenses, and early site
permits to promote standardization and
early resolution of safety or
environmental issues.
>> Although they have a lot of history,
parts 50 and 52 are regularly being
improved upon based on lessons learned
and modern regulatory concepts.
>> 53 introduces a risk-informed,
performance-based, and
technology-inclusive regulatory
framework for commercial nuclear plants
that may be used as an alternative to
parts 50 and 52.
It builds on lessons learned from the
use and evolution of parts 50 and 52 and
includes many features that enable
flexibility, efficiency, and innovation
while maintaining a level of safety
equivalent to that of parts 50 and 52.
Part 53 enables these features through
the use of risk insights that identify
and focus on issues important to safety,
performance-based requirements that
allow applicants the flexibility to
propose design and operational features
tailored to the needs of the
application,
and technology-inclusive requirements
that accommodate any technology, any
size or number of reactors, and any
commercial end use. These features and
many more enable a wide range of
licensing approaches and deployment
models to support licensing of advanced
reactors.
>> Part 57 is a proposed new rule that
would enable rapid licensing and
high-volume licensing of micro reactors
and other reactors with comparable risk
profiles. The designs of these
commercial reactors would rely heavily
on passive and inherent safety features
and need to meet two entry criteria
related to potential accident
consequences and a limit on the total
amount of fuel in the reactor. Together,
these criteria and design attributes
would support streamlined licensing
requirements that ensure safety and
enable a wide variety of reactor uses
and deployments.
>> Proposed part 57 would be the ideal
pathway for small, simple reactors with
mature designs that are intended to be
deployed in large numbers.
>> Together, parts 50, 52, 53, and 57
deliver an advanced reactor regulatory
framework to provide risk-informed
safety-focused reviews
with consistent safety expectations
which enable flexible licensing for
various design maturities and business
models and deployment at scale and
speed.
>> Early engagement with the NRC is a vital
part of understanding these frameworks
and determining the best fit.
>> The advanced reactor construction
oversight program, known as ARCAP,
naturally extends that modernization by
providing improvements to the
construction oversight framework.
>> ARCAP provides a risk-informed, scalable
approach to commercial advanced reactor
construction oversight. It adapts to all
approaches of construction from
large-scale, traditionally built
reactors to modular and factory-built
reactors.
Early engagement is built into the
process, strengthening communication
between the NRC and developers.
Continuous feedback loops help identify
issues sooner and keep projects on
track.
>> Continued modernizations of the
regulatory framework and ARCAP provide
full life cycle, risk-informed, tailored
support to the advanced reactor
community.
>> The NRC's advanced reactor licensing
frameworks enable responsible innovation
across the advanced reactor community as
we prepare for the future.
The NRC remains committed to safety as
our core principle.