Category:Energy
Regulatory Challenges in Small Modular Reactor Deployment
As the nuclear energy industry pivots toward small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet the growing demand for a clean, efficient, and reliable energy source, developers face a multilayered regulatory landscape. Navigating the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) licensing process, evolving legislation, and supply chain challenges present both legal and operational risks as the United States attempts to achieve energy independence.
Nuclear Waste Disposal: A Collective Failure but a Collective Opportunity
On Wednesday, March 5th, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on two cases involving the licensing of private contractors for disposal of nuclear waste in Texas. The cases focused on two issues: (1) an administrative law question about a third party being able to challenge an agency ruling, and (2) whether the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) can issue licenses for private companies to operate temporary disposal sites. Ultimately, the holdings will not matter because the underlying problem remains the same. Due to a combination of government inaction and inefficiency, there are no permanent nuclear waste disposal sites in the US.