TerraPower Applauds NRC Permit Schedule Acceleration for Natrium® Reactor, Bolstering Advanced Nuclear Deployment
Key Insights
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has shortened the review period for TerraPower's Natrium reactor construction permit application from 26 to 19 months.
This acceleration, supported by federal executive orders, aims to expedite the safe deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies in the United States.
TerraPower's Natrium design, featuring a 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor with a 500 MW molten salt energy storage system, is a first-mover in the advanced reactor sector.
The project, part of the DOE's ARDP, is on track for 2030 completion, marking the first utility-scale advanced nuclear plant in the U.S.
Bellevue, WA – TerraPower, a leading nuclear innovation company, announced on July 2, 2025, that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accelerated the review duration for its Construction Permit Application (CPA) for the Kemmerer Unit 1 Natrium plant. The review period has been reduced from 26 months to 19 months, with the anticipated issuance of the final environmental impact statement (EIS) and safety evaluation now slated for December 31, 2025. This expedited timeline reflects a broader federal initiative to streamline regulatory processes for advanced nuclear energy deployment, notably supported by President Trump’s Executive Orders signed in May 2025.
Chris Levesque, TerraPower President and CEO, remarked on the development, stating, “This acknowledgement by the NRC that our application can be completed more quickly than originally anticipated is a testament to the incredible work by our Natrium team and the support for advanced reactors at the federal level.” Levesque emphasized the role of federal backing in accelerating deployment, adding, “Streamlining reviews is a commonsense solution that will accelerate permitting schedules; and proves that we can bring safe, well-vetted American technologies to market faster and compete on the global stage.”
TerraPower holds the distinction as the first developer to submit a construction permit application for a commercial advanced reactor to the NRC, doing so in March 2024. The company’s regulatory strategy has focused on comprehensive technical content and proactive engagement with regulators. This latest schedule adjustment builds on previous NRC actions, including being ahead of schedule on safety review in February 2025 and exempting the energy production and storage portions of the plant from review in May 2025, which paved the way for initial construction on half the Natrium plant to commence this year.
The Natrium technology represents a significant advancement in the nuclear sector. Its design incorporates a 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor integrated with a patented molten salt-based energy storage system. This unique storage capability allows the plant to boost its output to 500 MW when grid demand peaks, while maintaining a steady base output for constant reliability. This feature positions Natrium as the only advanced reactor design with such a dynamic power ramping capability, making it well-suited to complement intermittent renewable energy sources.
The first Natrium plant is being developed under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), a public-private partnership aimed at accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. The project is projected for completion in 2030, poised to become the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant in the United States. This accelerated permitting schedule is crucial for meeting the project’s ambitious timeline and demonstrating the viability of advanced nuclear solutions for future energy needs.