Helion clears first fusion plant regulatory licenses globally
Helion Energy received the world's first operating licenses for a fusion power plant from Washington state, clearing construction barriers for its 50 MW Orion facility and its Microsoft power purchase agreement.
Three private reactors clear final safety gate, targeting July 4 criticality
Aalo, Antares, and Valar have cleared DOE safety reviews and entered final readiness phase; if approved by July 4, they become the first private reactors to operate outside NRC licensing.
FANCO Files for NRC Review of Lead-Bismuth Fast Reactor
First American Nuclear submitted its EAGL-1 small modular reactor design to the NRC on April 15, marking the first lead-bismuth-cooled reactor in the U.S. pre-application pipeline and a direct challenge to sodium-cooled designs.
NRC clears path for TVA's first U.S. SMR construction permit
The NRC recommended approval of TVA's construction permit for a 300-MWe BWRX-300 SMR at Clinch River, positioning the utility as first in the U.S. to build a commercial small reactor and establishing the licensing template other utilities have been waiting for.
NRC Part 53 Takes Effect April 29—First New Nuclear Licensing Framework in 37 Years
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Part 53 rule—the first new reactor licensing framework since 1989—goes live April 29, 2026, enabling advanced reactor developers to file applications without legacy light-water reactor exemptions for the first time.
NRC Finalizes Part 53: First New U.S. Reactor Licensing Framework Since 1989
The NRC's March 26, 2026 finalization of 10 CFR Part 53 ends a 37-year regulatory gap, offering advanced reactor developers $53.6–$68.2 million in per-applicant savings and a technology-neutral licensing path.