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First American Nuclear advances HALEU fuel facility regulatory pathway

First American Nuclear Co notified the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission on 6 August of its intent to apply for a licence to operate a Category II high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel fabrication facility. The facility will fabricate uranium oxide fuel and process it into alternative fuel forms, supporting the company's EAGL-1 lead-bismuth-cooled fast reactor and other advanced reactor developers.

The regulatory engagement plan outlines the path toward a licence application under 10 CFR Part 70. The facility will process HALEU uranium oxide pellets enriched to less than 20 percent uranium-235. First American Nuclear acquired the underlying technology portfolio from Columbia Basin Consulting Group, a nuclear engineering firm, and has advanced the design through support from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory via Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear awards and a Department of Energy Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program grant.

  • The fuel facility will support EAGL-1, a 240 MWe lead-bismuth-cooled fast-spectrum small modular reactor designed for factory fabrication and scalable deployment
  • First American Nuclear is finalising contracts with primary engineering and design contractors for the facility
  • The company partnered with AtkinsRéalis as the exclusive engineering, procurement, and construction management provider for EAGL-1 projects in North America, including integrated reactor, fuel fabrication, and recycling facilities

Regulatory strategy and team experience

The regulatory engagement plan provides a structured framework for early technical dialogue with the NRC before the formal licence application. First American Nuclear's leadership and senior engineering team bring direct operational experience from major US fast reactor programmes, including the Fast Flux Test Facility, Experimental Breeder Reactor-II, Versatile Test Reactor, Advanced Burner Reactor, and the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.

The technology foundation draws from US advanced liquid-metal fast reactor programmes, International Atomic Energy Agency data, and various US sources. First American Nuclear CEO Mike Reinboth emphasised that deploying advanced nuclear energy at scale requires both innovative reactor technology and a secure, capable American fuel supply. Executive Vice President Michelle Catts noted that the submission reflects the company's disciplined licensing approach and the quality of technical work across its fuel programme.

Supply chain implications

The facility represents a step toward establishing domestic HALEU fuel production capacity for the emerging advanced reactor sector. By integrating fuel fabrication and recycling with reactor development, First American Nuclear aims to create a vertically aligned fuel-cycle platform. The regulatory engagement approach signals the company's commitment to building regulatory confidence early in the development process, potentially establishing a model for other advanced reactor fuel supply initiatives.

American Nuclear Society to host webinar on measurement uncertainty and data validation advances

The American Nuclear Society will host a free Supplier Showcase webinar titled "Advancing DVR for MUR: Lessons from First-of-a-Kind Projects" on August 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CDT. The session will explore recent advancements in data validation and reconciliation (DVR) technology and their application to measurement uncertainty recapture (MUR) initiatives at nuclear facilities.

Data validation and reconciliation techniques have emerged as a key tool for nuclear operators seeking to optimize plant performance. By improving the accuracy of core thermal power measurements, these methods reduce the conservatism inherent in traditional measurement uncertainty calculations. This reduction in uncertainty can unlock additional operating margin, enabling measurement uncertainty recapture uprates that increase reactor output without requiring physical modifications to plant systems.

The webinar will examine lessons learned from first-of-a-kind DVR and MUR projects, providing supply-chain professionals and plant operators with practical insights into implementation strategies and performance outcomes. Registration is required to attend, and the session is open to all interested participants at no cost.

  • Webinar date and time: August 18, 1:00–2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Topic: Data validation and reconciliation advancements for measurement uncertainty reduction
  • Format: Free, registration required
  • Focus: First-of-a-kind project case studies and lessons learned

Haiyang 3 completes hot functional testing ahead of fuel load

Hot functional testing at the Haiyang 3 nuclear power unit concluded on 13 August, marking a critical milestone in the plant's commissioning sequence. The tests involved raising the reactor coolant system to operating temperature and conducting comprehensive verification of coolant circuits and safety systems before nuclear fuel is loaded.

The testing campaign encompassed 11 temperature rise and fall test platforms, executing 53 commissioning test procedures across 308 test chapters and 30 periodic tests. The unit successfully completed several transient tests on the first attempt, including non-nuclear steam turbine start-up and main pump coasting procedures. These results verified the thermal performance, interface fit accuracy, and regulation responsiveness of each system.

  • Hot functional tests simulate thermal working conditions and verify that nuclear island and conventional equipment meet design requirements
  • Cold functional tests were completed in March 2026, confirming proper installation and cold-condition readiness of safety-critical components
  • Fuel loading and grid connection are targeted for completion within 2026

Project timeline and capacity

Haiyang 3 is one of two CAP1000 reactors approved for construction at the site in April 2021. The CAP1000 design represents the Chinese adaptation of the Westinghouse AP1000 technology. Initial concrete pouring for the nuclear island occurred in July 2022, with construction of the companion Haiyang 4 unit commencing in April 2025. Both units are scheduled for full operational status in 2027.

The Haiyang plant currently operates two AP1000 units and is planned to eventually accommodate six 1,000-megawatt reactors, with space reserved for two additional future expansions. Once all four units under current development reach full capacity, the facility will generate approximately 40 billion kilowatt-hours annually, sufficient to supply electricity to half of Shandong Province's population.

  • CAP1000 is the Chinese version of Westinghouse AP1000 technology
  • Haiyang plant planned as a 10-megawatt-class nuclear power base with capacity for six reactors
  • Four operational units will produce 40 billion kilowatt-hours annually