NRC Accepts License Application for Oklo Advanced Reactor
Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 20-033 June 15, 2020
CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200
NRC Accepts License Application for Oklo Advanced Reactor
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted for review a Combined License application from Oklo Power LLC. to build and operate the company’s Aurora reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory site in Idaho.
The proposed Aurora design uses heat pipes to transport heat from the reactor core to a supercritical carbon-dioxide power conversion system to generate electricity. Oklo’s application, submitted on March 11, seeks approval of the first NRC license for an advanced non-light-water reactor design. The NRC and Oklo have engaged in “pre-application” discussions since 2016.
Accepting the application for review, or “docketing,” does not indicate whether the Commission will ultimately approve or reject the request for a license. The NRC is focusing on aligning on key design and safety aspects early in the process to provide a predictable and efficient licensing schedule. Information regarding the Combined License process is available on the NRC website.
In the near future, the NRC expects to publish in the Federal Register a notice of opportunity to intervene in an adjudicatory hearing on the Combined License. Petitions to intervene in a hearing must be filed within 60 days of the notice, by anyone whose interest may be affected by the proposed license and who wants to participate as a party in the proceeding. More information on the hearing process is available on the NRC website.
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