ML24052A325

News Release-23-078: NRC to Issue Construction Permit for Kairos Hermes Test Reactor in Tennessee

ML24052A325
Person / Time
Site:	Hermes  File:Kairos Power icon.png
Issue date:	12/12/2023
From:	Office of Public Affairs
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News Release-23-078
Download: ML24052A325 (1)

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No: 23-078 December 12, 2023 CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200 NRC to Issue Construction Permit for Kairos Hermes Test Reactor in Tennessee

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has directed the staff to issue a construction permit to Kairos Power for the companys proposed Hermes non-power test reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The permit authorizes Kairos to build a 35-megawatt thermal reactor that would use molten salt to cool the reactor core.

Following a mandatory hearing held on Oct. 19, the Commission authorized the agencys Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to issue the permit, having found the staffs review of the Kairos application adequate to make the necessary regulatory safety and environmental findings.

The staff expects to issue the permit by the end of the month.

Kairos submitted its application to build the Hermes reactor in 2021. The test reactor, which will not generate electricity, is intended to provide operational data to support the development of a larger version for commercial power.

The NRC issued the final environmental impact statementfor the site i n August 2023 and the final safety evaluation for the permit in June 2023.

Kairos will have to submit a separate application for an operating license before it could operate the Hermes reactor.