Resources

The Nuclear Innovation Alliance hosted a publication webinar for our updated New Nuclear Energy Guide for State Policymakers by Zach Koshgarian, with speakers Doug Scott of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Kenya Stump of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Chris Stearns of the Washington State House of Representatives, James Richards of NIA, Judi Greenwald of NIA, and moderator Ben Finzel. 

The 2026 update to this report answers the key question, "What can states do?" by highlighting the policies, partnerships, and initiatives that can help advance new nuclear energy projects in states.  

To read the report, click here: New Nuclear Energy Guide for State Policymakers | NIA

The Nuclear Innovation Alliance submitted a public comment on the proposed Modernizing Materials Licensing rule published on June 24, 2026. NIA generally is supportive of this proposed rule, and our comments specifically address the NRC request for comment on the definition of construction, in addition to a section on the DOE Pilot Fuel Line transition. Additionally, NIA  notes that Part 51 is referenced throughout this proposed rule. Part 51 is subject to change from the July 7th proposed rule, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. NIA urges NRC to coordinate the changes in both rules to ensure regulatory certainty and durability.

NIA submitted a public comment on the proposed rule modernizing security requirements. The flexible framework proposed in this rulemaking achieves important objectives for addressing security for advanced reactors in a responsible manner without unnecessarily limiting the use of civilian nuclear technology for society’s benefit. NIA's comment makes one recommendation to further foster technology-inclusive regulations and provides NIA's input on the four NRC questions from the Specific Request for Comments section of the proposed rule package. 

The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) conducted anonymized interviews in 2025 with various new reactor applicants to gauge the licensing process and build on our prior licensing efficiency reports. This report summarizes the major insights with respect to progress against prior licensing efficiency recommendations, as well as new recommendations. The summary and recommendations presented in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of any particular interviewees, but instead are NIA’s insights and synthesis of the conversations.

Communication and project management were major themes from the 2023 report and remained so in the interviews. Effective two-way communication between the NRC and applicants is essential to efficient licensing. This report provides recommendations on communication and best practices for REPs, audits, NRC project manager (PM) issues, NRC’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC), and the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS).

NIA submitted a request for an extension of the comment period for Modernizing Reactor Licensing, Safety Oversight, and Siting Practices Rulemaking. Due to the length of the proposed rule and the importance of the rulemaking, NIA requests that the public comment period be extended an additional 30 days for a total of 76 days, pushing the end of the public comment period to September 30th, 2026.  

This NIA Fact Sheet highlights the deployment timeline of selected advanced reactors projects.

Last updated June 2026

NIA submitted a public comment on the Department of Energy (DOE) notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR). NIA appreciates DOE’s efforts to streamline and simplify its regulations in this NOPR. This comment outlines concerns regarding: (1) the proposed sunset of 10 CFR Part 840, and (2) the limited explanation provided for the regulations proposed for sunset. As a result, we offer the following comments, including two recommendations.

NIA submitted a public comment on the NRC's Part 57 rulemaking (RIN 3150-AL36; NRC-2025-0379). This letter addresses NIA's highest-priority recommendations for the final rule. NIA believes the following items from both the proposed rule and draft guidance language (NUREG-2271) should be addressed before finalizing the rule. This Part 57 rulemaking is the most significant and complex action NRC has taken thus far under Executive Order 14300 rule rewrite. NIA addressed some of the questions NRC asked stakeholders in an extensive but concise comment.

The U.S. government has substantial efforts underway to develop new nuclear reactors for military purposes. Recent executive orders, together with congressional mandates, establish a coordinated strategy that links national security with mission assurance. 

This updated NIA publication outlines the federal policy framework and the projects, concepts, and solicitations underway to translate policy direction and statutory authority into operational capability. It further provides a comprehensive guide to the concepts and initiatives the government is pursuing to develop new nuclear reactors for military purposes.  

NIA submitted a public comment on the Draft Interim Staff Guidance: “NRC Application Pathway for  Reactor Designs Previously Authorized by U.S. Department of Energy or Department of War.” NIA supports the Commission’s objective of enabling more efficient licensing pathways by appropriately leveraging prior federal work. If implemented effectively, this pathway could reduce unnecessary duplication, improve regulatory predictability, accelerate deployment timelines, and better align federal demonstration efforts with successful commercial deployment outcomes. As noted in NIA’s recent comments on the related proposed rulemaking, however, efficiency alone is not sufficient. To succeed over the long term, this pathway must also preserve and visibly reinforce the NRC’s independence, credibility, transparency, and predictability.