Siting of Microreactors Regulations
In support of Governor Dunleavy's Office of Energy Innovation and in response to the US Air Force Microreactor Pilot Program, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has developed microreactor siting permit regulations authorized under Alaska Statute (AS) 18.45. The final regulation (18 AAC 87) are available on DEC Regulations' webpage.
DEC's Role
DEC's statutory authority over nuclear facilities is outlined in AS 18.45. Applicants are required to obtain a siting permit from DEC, which includes approval by the municipality/borough with local jurisdiction (or the legislature if the site is in an unorganized borough).
DEC's role is solely in the siting of a microreactor facility. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will address licensing, construction, operation and safety and security of the facility.
Public Participation
Responsiveness Summary
In response to public comments received during the draft regulation's public notice period, DEC developed a Responsiveness Summary to address these comments.
Comments from Draft Regulations
The draft regulations were available to the public to review and provide comments March 8 - May 11, 2023. Notice details, draft regulations, and submitted public comments are available at Siting of Microreactor Regulations Public Notice page.
Comments from Scoping Period
DEC solicited public comments under a scoping project before the current drafting of regulations. Comments submitted during the December 2022 - January 2023 scoping are available online via SmartComment.
What is a Microreactor
A microreactor is a small nuclear reactor that produces from roughly 1 to 50 megawatts that can operate independently from the electric grid. Most of these small reactors are factory assembled, with the reactor core transported to the site as a pre-fueled and sealed module that acts as a nuclear "battery", providing energy without the need for refueling for up to a decade.
Detailed information is available on the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Microreactor website and on their Microreactor FAQs page.
US Air Force Proposed Pilot
The US Air Force is developing of a nuclear microreactor pilot project with anticipated completion in 2027.
- Micro-Reactor Pilot (US Air Force) August 2022
- Micro-Reactor Pilot FAQs (US Air Force) October 2021
- Request for Proposal for Eielson Air Force Base Micro-Reactor Pilot Program
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