NRC expresses technical expertise, independence at White House Summit

During the White House Summit on Nuclear Energy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) detailed the independent nature of its process to evaluate reactor designs for health and safety, the commission reported Friday.

During the summit, the NRC reaffirmed its commitment to the Gateway for Accelerating Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program from the Department of Energy (DOE). It does this through the regular information that it provides in relation to new regulatory policy information. This program allows those applicants developing new reactor technology to be familiar with the regulatory progress and facilitate development in nuclear technology.

The commission will also be partnering with the department to host the Second Advanced Non-Light Water Reactors Workshop in the spring of 2014. This workshop will explore options that can increase efficiency while staying within regulatory guidelines and utilizing the latest in available technology.

“The NRC is familiar with the innovative approaches to nuclear power plants discussed today,” NRC Chairman Stephen Burns said. “We look forward to reviewing evidence to support the safety case for these designs’ fuels, operation and emergency systems. We also look forward to working with DOE to ensure today’s innovators are well-versed in the path towards earning regulatory approval.”