NRC Plans to Develop Advanced Oversight Process for New Reactors

Recently, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) revealed that it is actively considering tailoring an Advanced Reactor Oversight Process (AROP) for new nuclear power and advanced reactor projects, aiming to systematically draw on the mature oversight experience gained from approximately 25 years of continuous operation of the existing fleet of nuclear power plants.

As the long-standing core of regulation, the NRC's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) is primarily used for inspection and safety assessment of the operating reactor fleet. With the emergence of a large number of new nuclear energy projects in the future that are fundamentally different from traditional unit designs, the NRC has recently held a series of public meetings to comprehensively introduce the early planning of the AROP. The new framework will build on the existing Advanced Reactor Construction Oversight Process (ARCOP) and will be steadily advanced in accordance with the timeline requirements for microreactor-related processes under the ADVANCE Act.

The proposed AROP framework will be strictly structured around five core principles: risk-informed, performance-based, technology-inclusive, scalable, and licensing-neutral, covering a broad range of innovative reactor types including non-light-water reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs), and microreactors. Under the concept, the process will establish an assessment matrix comprising multiple cornerstones, and through targeted inspections and dynamic adjustment of performance indicator thresholds, it will ensure absolute safety while appropriately reducing the frequency of routine on-site inspections for advanced facilities with excellent performance.

According to the preliminary schedule at the current stage, NRC staff plan to finalize the high-level strategy and guidance by January 2027 and formally submit them to the Commission for review in the spring of the same year. By building a scientific, flexible, and technology-inclusive modern regulatory system, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will provide solid policy and regulatory support for the commercial-scale deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies.