The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has worked diligently over the past five years to develop a risk-informed, performance-based, and technology-inclusive regulatory framework in 10 CFR Part 53 (“Part 53”) for advanced reactors.
In a joint letter with other NGO’s NIA which provides the unique perspectives on the Part 53 rulemaking process from several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a shared interest in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors to support public clean energy and energy security needs.
Making the changes described in this letter would help produce a final rule that is practicable for industry and ensures that the NRC fulfills its mission.
NIA Research Director Dr. Patrick White participated in the first Nuclear Energy Education Day (NEED) in Lansing, Michigan on March 6th. He testified before the Michigan Senate Energy and Environment Committee and answered questions from lawmakers about opportunities for existing and new nuclear energy in Michigan!
In this fact sheet, NIA provides a brief overview of the new GenIII+ SMR Program discusses how public-private partnerships are critical to the successful deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies. It also emphasizes the program’s focus on building an “orderbook” of reactors and leveraging performance milestone-based funding to drive project success.
This brief is part of a series of NIA publications that seeks to provide essential insights for those newly exploring nuclear energy as well as those seeking concise information crucial to nuclear energy innovation and deployment.
NIA's response in support of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Interim Final Rule to update, streamline, and relocate the policies and procedures that are applicable to the use and administration of DOE's other transaction agreements (OTAs), which includes DOE's ability to utilize a performance milestone-based approach to public-private partnerships.
DOE-HQ-2024-0095-0005
The Case for Continued Investment in the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program
This brief presents the case for continued investment in the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) to ensure the successful deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies. It discusses the many benefits that a successful ARDP brings with it and why continued investment should be prioritized. More specifically, the following topics and benefits are discussed:
- Providing new commercial use cases for advanced nuclear energy
- Creating benefits for other advanced nuclear energy projects
- Accelerating U.S. NRC licensing of advanced nuclear reactors
- Attracting private capital
- Creating high quality jobs both locally and nationally.
This brief was last updated in February 2025.
Methodology Review of the Tennessee Valley Authority Integrated Resource Planning Process
This methodology document is a companion to NIA’s comments on the TVA Draft Integrated Resource Plan. To view this methodology document, click the "Download" button below.
To view NIA's original comments to TVA's Draft Integrated Resource Plan, click the following link: Comments on Tennessee Valley Authority's 2025 Draft Integrated Resource Plan
Comments on Tennessee Valley Authority's 2025 Draft Integrated Resource Plan
NIA submitted comments on Tennessee Valley Authority’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. In these comments, we recommend using updated and publicly available costs, adjusting the availability and construction timeline of SMRs and Generation IV reactors. We also propose alternative timelines and costs that we feel should be used and the justifications for doing so. To view these comments, click the "Download" button below.
These comments were informed by NIA's review of TVA's methodology. This methodology review can be found in a companion document to NIA's comments. To view this companion document, click the following link: Companion Document - Methodology Review of the TVA Integrated Resource Planning Process
This brief summary presents the impact of the Department of Energy’s Loan Program Office (LPO) in the context of nuclear commercialization. By strategically funding projects such as the Vogtle plant project and the Holtec-Palisades nuclear restart, the LPO funding helps bridge early-stage funding gaps and catalyzes private investment. The summary discusses how the LPO's strategic financing model leverages limited federal appropriations to advance nuclear energy development and improve national and energy security.
Click here to read the full report.
The DOE Loan Program Office's Role in U.S. Nuclear Energy Leadership
Nuclear energy is an important technology for U.S. energy security and competitiveness, and the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO) is essential to nuclear energy’s success. By investing in early-stage projects, the LPO accelerates technological advancement, attracts private capital, and ensures U.S. leadership in meeting rapidly growing global energy demand, enhancing our economic competitiveness, geopolitical influence and national security.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s LPO plays the crucial role of financing early mover projects to help bridge the gap between demonstrations and projects financeable with private capital.
This brief, by Dr. James Richards, discusses how the LPO's strategic financing model leverages limited federal appropriations to advance nuclear energy development and improve national and energy security.
Click here to read the report summary.
Securing America's Energy Future with Domestic Uranium Enrichment
This brief discusses the critical need to increase domestic enrichment capacity to enable the production of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and reduce U.S. dependency on international entities in the nuclear fuel supply chain. It discusses the funding Congress has provided to the Department of Energy (DOE) to accomplish this goal, and the need for DOE to accelerate its efforts to partner with private industry and implement their HALEU availability program.