The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is the primary gatekeeper for nuclear technology deployment in the United States. Any company seeking to build and operate a nuclear reactor in the U.S. must obtain NRC approval through a rigorous licensing process that evaluates reactor design safety, environmental impact, security provisions, and emergency preparedness. The NRC's decisions carry enormous influence beyond U.S. borders, as many countries look to NRC certifications as a benchmark when evaluating reactor designs for their own markets.
The NRC's licensing process has historically been designed around large light-water reactors, and adapting it for innovative SMR and advanced reactor designs has been a significant challenge. NuScale Power achieved the first-ever SMR design certification in 2023 after a review process spanning several years. The NRC is also reviewing applications from Kairos Power, X-energy, and others. To accommodate the wave of advanced reactor applications, the NRC has developed new regulatory frameworks, including 10 CFR Part 53, which provides a technology-inclusive licensing pathway for non-light-water reactor designs.
The pace of NRC review is both a safety asset and a commercial constraint. Thorough safety evaluation protects the public, but lengthy timelines add costs and uncertainty for reactor developers and their investors. Bipartisan legislation like the ADVANCE Act has directed the NRC to improve efficiency and establish clearer pathways for advanced reactor licensing. The balance between rigorous safety oversight and timely innovation support is central to the nuclear energy policy debate in the United States. For deeper coverage, see DeepTechIntel's nuclear section.