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Independent regulatory commissions

Support for GEIS for Small-Scale Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nuclear power is seen as a critical component in combating climate change, offering reliable and dispatchable electricity, with a significantly reduced ecological footprint compared to other energy sources. The development of small-scale advanced nuclear reactors is deemed essential to ensure the United States remains competitive and sustainable. A Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for small-scale advanced reactors is being supported, highlighting the inherent safety, minimal waste, and low environmental impact of these designs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering the development of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for small-scale advanced nuclear reactors.
  • Nuclear power is considered a crucial tool in combating climate change due to its reliability, dispatchability, and reduced ecological footprint.
  • Advanced small-scale reactors are seen as critical for the United States to remain technologically competitive and ensure the sustainability of the planet.
  • The development of GEIS for small-scale advanced reactors is considered the most effective mechanism for bringing such technology to market.
  • Keith Schue, a constituent, has strongly supported the development of a GEIS for small-scale advanced reactors.
  • The ecological footprint of nuclear power is significantly less than that of fossil fuel or renewable energy sources.
  • Small modular designs of advanced small-scale reactors have inherent safety, minimal waste, and low environmental impact.

Statistics:

  • Nuclear power offers the greatest promise for significantly combating climate change.
  • The ecological footprint of nuclear power is dramatically less than any other form of energy, fossil fuel or renewable.
  • Small modular designs of advanced small-scale reactors have inherent safety, minimal waste, and low environmental impact.

Sources:

  • [1] United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (2020) - NRC-2020-0101 Re: GEIS for small-scale advanced reactors.
  • [2] Federal Register Notice: 85FR24040 (2020).
  • [3] Radiological Waste Management: Grand Challenges in Nuclear Waste Handling and Transportation, Siddharth Goyal, Ellen J. Besenbring, Steven H. Zinkle, Arthur W. Wright, (2020) Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 76(5), pp. 309-322, doi: 10.1080/00963402.2020.1784248.

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