Global Nexus Initiative publishes policy recommendations on advanced nuclear reactor deployment

The Global Nexus Initiative (GNI) called on legislators to provide a clearer and better supported path to advanced reactor deployment in a recent policy memo.

“[Advanced] reactors are at a crossroads between development and deployment, and there is a need for a focused and aggressive plan to move these technologies and their regulatory framework forward,” Partnership for Global Security President Ken Luongo said.

GNI, a joint project of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the Partnership for Global Security, offered policy recommendations that address issues facing the deployment of the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors.

“In regards to licensing, the U.S. process is currently and understandably light water reactor-centric and must be adjusted to enable the effective and efficient review of advanced reactor designs. A staged licensing process building on existing NRC processes should be implemented,” said Everett Redmond, NEI senior director of fuel cycle and technology policy.

GNI is scheduled to release a final report following a workshop in 2017, which will focus on the development of pragmatic recommendations for the development, licensing, and safety of advanced nuclear reactor deployment.

“The development of next generation reactors must be pursued with a strong sense of urgency if these reactors are to be available to support climate objectives,” Redmond said.