ML25261A078
| ML25261A078 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/18/2025 |
| From: | Jacqueline Thompson NRC/NRR/DEX/EXHB |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25261A078 (1) | |
Text
Developing a Graded Approach to Site Characterization for Nuclear Power Reactors in Response to the ADVANCE Act of 2024 Jenise Thompson U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission September 22, 2025 AEG Annual Meeting Virtual Day
Overview
- Overview of ADVANCE Act of 2024
- Cross-cutting issues
- Use of existing data
- Alternative site investigations
- Graded Approach
- Meteorology, Hydrology, Geology, Seismology, Geotechnical Engineering, Human-Induced External Hazards
- Efficient and risk-informed approach to site characterization
- Site, hazard and design-specific considerations
Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2024 Purpose - enhance the regulatory framework and increase efficiency in licensing nuclear reactors in the United States Section 206 - Coal-to-Nuclear and Brownfields Sites Section 207 - Expedited COL Reviews Section 208 - Microreactors
Section 206 - Brownfields Key Point: Licensing and oversight of nuclear facilities at brownfield and retired fossil fuel sites Question: How to leverage existing infrastructure and past site characterization reviews to streamline deployment Action: Section 206 report submitted August 25, 2025.
Section 207 - Expedited COL Reviews Key Point: Complete licensing review on 18-month schedule for qualifying COL applications Question: How to determine what is a qualifying application?
Staff Action: Draft Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) published in Federal Register on September 3, 2025.
Section 208 - Microreactor Licensing Key Point: Develop risk-informed and performance-based strategies and guidance to license and regulate micro-reactors Question: How can the NRC leverage existing guidance to inform efficient licensing strategies for microreactors?
Action: Issuance of SECY-25-0052 in June 2025.
SECY-25-0052 - Nth of a Kind Microreactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations ML24309A266
Common Issues Use of existing site characterization data and information Risk-informed approach to site investigations Licensing efficiencies
Use of existing site characterization information Quality Representativeness Method of data collection or analysis Changes since data was acquired
Risk-informed Approach to Site Investigations Information Scope Region of Interest Period of Interest Methods of analysis Existing methods of investigation Novel approach to site investigations Reactor considerations Design elements Reactor size and consequence Site location Unit footprint Overall site footprint
Licensing Efficiencies PRE-APPLICATION ENGAGEMENT APPLICATION COMPLETENESS
Existing Graded Approaches in NRC Guidance Seismic Hazards RG 1.208 NUREG-2213 Flooding Hazards Appendix K to DG-1290, Proposed Revision 3 to RG 1.59 Volcanic Hazards RG 4.26
Next Steps Applying a graded approach to other site hazards Human-induced external hazards Meteorology and Climatology Geotechnical Engineering Ensuring clarity in guidance to facilitate appropriate site investigations and application development Support pre-application engagement with prospective applicants or practitioners of novel methods of site analysis being considered for nuclear