NRC Issues First Advanced Reactor Construction Permit in 40 Years
March 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Jared Klein
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted on March 4 to issue a construction permit to TerraPower for its Natrium advanced reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming — the first NRC construction permit for a non-light-water commercial reactor in more than four decades.
The approval clears TerraPower to begin nuclear-related construction on a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor with a patented molten salt energy storage system capable of boosting output to 500 MW during peak demand. The company expects to begin construction in coming weeks, with operations targeted for 2030.
A Milestone for DOE's Advanced Reactor Program
The Natrium project is funded through the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), a public-private partnership created to accelerate deployment of next-generation nuclear technology. DOE has invested heavily in the program since its 2020 launch, selecting TerraPower and X-energy as its two flagship demonstration projects.
The NRC completed its review in just 18 months — nine months faster than the initially projected 27-month timeline. TerraPower President and CEO Chris Levesque called it "a historic day for the United States' nuclear industry," noting the team invested thousands of manpower hours over four years to reach this point.
The expedited review could set a precedent for future advanced reactor applicants navigating the NRC licensing process.
What Nuclear Innovators Should Know
The Natrium permit demonstrates that the NRC's risk-informed, performance-based licensing framework can work for non-traditional reactor designs — a critical signal for the dozens of advanced nuclear companies seeking federal support.
DOE continues to fund nuclear innovation through multiple channels: ARDP cooperative agreements, the Office of Nuclear Energy's research programs, and SBIR/STTR topics targeting nuclear technology. The FY2026 budget preserved DOE's Office of Science at an $8.4 billion level with a 1.9% increase, maintaining the department's capacity to support advanced energy projects.
For small businesses and startups developing nuclear supply chain technologies, the Natrium construction phase will create subcontracting opportunities and technology validation pathways. Companies tracking DOE nuclear funding opportunities can find deadline calendars and analysis on grantedai.com.