Aalo Atomics Enters Pre-Licensing Phase: A Major Milestone

Big News

On July 1, 2024, we hit a major milestone by submitting our Regulatory Engagement Plan (REP) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This is a huge step forward in getting regulatory approval for our Aalo-1 reactor.

This post will explain what this means and why it's so important.

What's Our Plan?

We've launched the Idaho Nuclear Project, an initiative to set up a fission-based power plant. Initially, this plant will feature seven independent Aalo-1 reactors, potentially expanding to an additional seven reactor units. Once we get the green light and start construction, this will be the highest number of nuclear reactors at a single site in the US—a game-changer for small reactor clusters.

This plant will help our partner utility provide affordable, reliable electricity to meet current and future energy and sustainability needs. We aim to have it up and running by 2029.

What's a Regulatory Engagement Plan?

It's a key document that establishes a clear communication line between Aalo Atomics and the NRC. The NRC's main job is ensuring safety, and our REP lays out how we intend to work together to meet that goal.

By setting expectations, building trust, and addressing the NRC's questions and concerns early on, we aim to create a safe, socially acceptable, and commercially viable Aalo-1 reactor for the Idaho Nuclear Project.

Our REP Objectives

1. Complete alignment on regulatory expectations: Our REP clearly shows that we understand and respect the NRC's rules and are committed to meeting all their requirements.‍
2. Build trust and transparency: We're prioritizing open and honest communication with the NRC to build trust and credibility. This means having cooperative, timely, and transparent discussions on important issues.‍
3. Early communication of regulatory risk reduction plans: By outlining our technical approach early, we give ourselves plenty of time to address any potential questions or issues from the NRC. This helps us avoid disruptions in the licensing, construction, and operation of the Idaho Nuclear Project.‍
4. Supporting project risk management and governance: Our REP helps the Idaho Nuclear Project team stay on top of regulatory requirements by keeping the NRC's questions and concerns in mind.

What's Next?

Submitting our REP is just the start. Next, we’ll apply for the official licensing of our plant, including the Aalo-1 reactor design and work closely with the NRC to bring this deployment to life. Our goal is to submit a full license application (COLA) in 2026.

Stay tuned for more updates as we push towards a brighter future, powered by nuclear energy and the Aalo-1!