Key facts
- The rule allows data from US energy and defense department projects to support new reactor applications.
- NRC Chairman Ho Nieh stated the rule does not compromise strict safety standards.
- Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists expressed concern about the NRC's independence.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) finalized a rule on Thursday that permits companies to utilize data from demonstration projects conducted by US agencies. This marks the first significant revision to reactor regulations since President Donald Trump mandated expedited agency reviews in May 2025, aiming to speed up approvals for new reactor designs within 18 months. The updated rule will enable applicants to leverage analyses, data, and information from reactor demonstration projects within the US energy and defense departments to bolster their applications for advanced reactor projects, including small modular reactors. NRC Chairman Ho Nieh assured that the new regulation does not involve shortcuts or compromises on the agency's stringent safety standards, noting that reviews for "consequence analysis" might even become more rigorous. However, nuclear safety activist Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists voiced concerns, emphasizing the critical need for the NRC to maintain its independent authority in safety and security determinations, suggesting that the agency's licensing procedures are more rigorous and transparent than those of the energy and defense departments.