ML21305A013

News Release-21-042: NRC Makes Available Kairos Construction Permit Application

ML21305A013
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Issue date:	10/29/2021
From:	Office of Public Affairs
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News Release-21-042
Download: ML21305A013 (1)

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N o : 21 -0 42 October 29, 202 1 CO N TA CT: Sc o tt Bu rn e ll, 301-415-82 00 N R C M a k e s A v a ila b le K a iro s C o ns tru ctio n P e rm it A p plic a tio n

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has received the f irst p o rtion o f a c o n s truc tio n p e rm it a p p lic a tio n f ro m K a iros Po w e r, w h ic h re qu e sts p e rm is s io n to b u ild a te s t re a c to r a t a s ite in O a k Ridge, Tennessee. The a p p lic a tio n is n o w a v a ila ble f or p u b lic in s pe c tio n o n th e N RC w e b s ite.

Kairos f iled the application on Sept. 29, providing a preliminary saf ety analysis report f or the companys Hermes test reactor. The 35 -m ega w a tt, n o n -power reactor would use molten salt to cool the reactor core, providing operational data to support development of a larger version meant f or a commercial nuclear power plant. The company will need to submit a separate application for an operating license in the f uture.

Th e N RC s ta f f is re v ie w in g th is p o rtio n o f th e p e rmit a p p lic a tion to d e te rm ine if it is complete and ready f o r p roc e s sin g. If th e p a rtia l a p p lic atio n is d e te rm ine d to b e s u ffic ie nt, th e s ta f f w ill d o c k e t it a n d b e gi n a detailed technical review.

Th e NRC u nderstands Kairos plans to f ile the second po rtio n of the Hermes application, an environmental report, in several weeks. That report will undergo a separate docketing acceptance review at that time. If the environmental report is accepted for review, the N RC w ill p u b lis h a notice of opportunity to request an adjudicatory hearing on the f ull application before the NRCs Atomic Saf ety and Licensing Board. Information about the Kairos design is available on the NRC w e b s ite.