NRC cancels advanced reactor meeting due to government shutdown

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced it is cancelling an upcoming advanced reactor stakeholder meeting, originally scheduled for November 19, due to the government shutdown and the limitations on staffing at the agency.

The meeting will be rescheduled once the government is fully funded. Most of the NRC staff has been furloughed, which could lead to delays in the reviews of some reactor applications underway if the government shutdown continues.

However, the NRC said it is continuing with certain activities, including some priority advanced nuclear reactor applications, as directed by Executive Order 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," which aims to streamline the regulatory review process at the agency to speed up approval of advanced nuclear reactors.