---
title: "US Approves First Small-Scale Nuclear Reactors"
description: "The U.S. just approved designs for the first small modular reactors, scaled down fission reactors that could help transition away from fossil fuels."
date: "2020-09-09"
modified: "2020-09-09"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/us-approves-small-nuclear-reactors"
categories:
  - "Energy"
  - "Nuclear Fusion"
  - "Renewable Energy"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "Nuclear Energy"
  - "small modular reactors"
  - "the digest"
---

# US Approves First Small-Scale Nuclear Reactors

![The U.S. just approved designs for the first small modular reactors, scaled down fission reactors that could help transition away from fossil fuels.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/us-approves-small-nuclear-reactors.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: NuScale\</em\>*

## Neighborhood Reactor

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the regulatory body that governs nuclear energy, just approved designs for the country's first scaled-down, low-cost fission reactor.

The small modular reactor (SMR) build by NuScale Power is the first of its kind in the U.S., *[Scientific American ](<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/first-u-s-small-nuclear-reactor-design-is-approved/>)*[reports](<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/first-u-s-small-nuclear-reactor-design-is-approved/>), and experts suggest it could revitalize the country's dormant nuclear energy industry by providing cleaner energy at a [more local scale](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/rolls-royce-tiny-nuclear-reactors>). But there's a long way to go before any of these reactors can actually be built.

## Step One

For now, the NRC approval means that utility companies can apply to construct the NuScale reactors, which are about 65 feet tall and nine feet in diameter. Before they can build them, however, further safety evaluations need to be completed.

"I am sorry to say that what lies ahead is risky and expensive," M. V. Ramana, a nuclear expert at the University of British Columbia, told *SciAm*.

## Quick Fix

[Advocates for SMRs](<https://futurism.com/theres-no-argument-against-nuclear-power>) suggest that they could serve as a way to quickly transition away from fossil fuels and cut down on carbon emissions, according to *SciAm*. As such, NuScale expects to deliver its first reactors in 2027 and have it online by 2029.

But it's possible that there will be delays down the road, experts told *SciAm*, as gaps in current safety reports for the smaller, modular nuclear reactors give them pause.

"I don't think future NuScale applicants will benefit from a design certification that has safety gaps in it," director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists told *SciAm*.

**READ MORE:** *[First U.S. Small Nuclear Reactor Design Is Approved](<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/first-u-s-small-nuclear-reactor-design-is-approved/>)*

**More on nuclear energy:** *[Rolls-Royce Is Building Tiny Nuclear Reactors](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/rolls-royce-tiny-nuclear-reactors>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)