NRC Approves Construction Permit for TerraPower’s Advanced Reactor
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has authorized its staff to issue TerraPower’s subsidiary, US SFR Owner, a construction permit for the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 in Wyoming—a significant milestone as it marks the first commercial reactor approval in nearly a decade and the first non–light water reactor approval in more than 40 years. NRC Chairman Ho Nieh called it a historic step, highlighting the agency’s rigorous, independent safety review. NRC staff completed their technical evaluation in under 18 months and, after a streamlined hearing process, the Commission determined that the application met all necessary safety and environmental requirements. TerraPower first filed the application in March 2024 for its 345‑MWe sodium‑cooled advanced reactor, which includes an energy storage system capable of boosting output to 500 MWe. Although the construction permit is expected soon, the company must still obtain a separate operating license before the facility can run. Safety and environmental reviews were completed in 2025, laying the groundwork for the next stage of the project.
