US, Canada to work together to develop nuclear technologies

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) signed an agreement last week to collaborate on the technical reviews of advanced reactor and small modular reactor technologies.

The agreement represents a key step in both countries’ commitment to a more effective and timely analysis of technologies.

“Today’s signing of this memorandum further shapes our commitment to open and transformative thinking with our Canadian partners, enhancing our willingness to work together on matters of advanced nuclear power safety developments while increasing regulatory effectiveness,” NRC Chairman Kristine Svinicki said. “Advanced technologies are emerging at a rapid pace, demanding that regulators keep in step with modernization initiatives and the technologies of the future.”

This is the first agreement of its kind between the United States and Canadian regulators on matters related to nuclear power development.

“Globally, interest and advances in small modular and advanced reactors are growing rapidly. The CNSC and the U.S. NRC are working together as regulatory leaders to ensure the development and deployment of these innovative technologies are done safely and efficiently,” CNSC President and CEO Rumina Velshi said. “The signing of this memorandum further strengthens our long-standing history of collaboration with our U.S. counterparts and ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of our regulatory oversight for the future.”

Both the NRC and CNSC will work under a previously established steering committee to begin developing the infrastructure needed to evaluate opportunities and best practices in the analysis of advanced reactor and small modular reactor designs.