-- First American Nuclear said on Wednesday it has submitted a regulatory engagement plan for its EAGL-1 small modular reactor to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The nuclear power company and developer or fast-spectrum small modular reactors said this step opens the company's pre-application engagement with the NRC and is a milestone on the way to obtaining a construction permit.
EAGL-1 is designed to be licensable under the NRC's existing rules, which First American said is a distinguishing feature compared with other advanced reactor designs.
During the licensing process, its customers get an immediate gas-fired power supply pending delivery of the full nuclear system, the company said with minimal costs involved in the switch-over.
The company described EAGL-1 as a liquid metal fast reactor and the only US-based nuclear reactor cooled using a metal alloy called lead-bismuth, chosen for superior thermal performance versus liquid sodium, but without the latter's reactivity with air or water, both cutting costs and enhancing safety.