Small Modular Reactors in YOUR community
Everything you need to know to have informed conversations about bringing Small Modular Reactors to your community
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Safety
Economics and Community
Comparison to Other Technologies
Governance and Oversight
Get Connected
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Safety
Safety is the first concern that comes to anyone's mind. Find out below how SMRs are design to keep you, your family, and your community safe while providing clean, efficient energy.
- Is it safe?
The major risk of nuclear plants is radiation. SMRs produce much less radiation than bigger nuclear plants and can be compared to natural sources.
- What about the waste?
SMR has an underground used fuel pool that allows for storage of up to 10 years of used fuel. After a cooling period, the waste can be allocated on a space for dry storage.
- Can’t it explode?
A nuclear reactor can never explode like an atomic bomb. SMR are designed and built in a way that reduces any chance of explosions, even in catastrophic situations as earthquakes or others.
Want to learn more about how SMRs are designed to keep you and your community safe? Head on over to our safety page for more great information and resources!
Economics and Community
Nuclear power stations have the ability to transform communities through a variety of economic and social benefits. Check out the FAQs below to see how Nuclear power can transform your community
- How much does it cost?
Older nuclear power plants are big and costly one of a kind designs. Recent construction projects for new nuclear plants have been plagued by cost overruns related to delays, regulation, and economic uncertainty. SMRs eliminate much of the complexity of larger plants by using a modular approach. When each reactor is the same, vendors benefit from economies of multiples, resulting in significantly reduced construction costs. The first NuScale plant, set to come online in 2026 will cost approximately $3 billon, slightly more than one tenth the cost of the new reactors being built at plant Vogtle in Georgia.
Want to learn more about nuclear construction costs? Check out this great report from the NEA
- How long will construction take?
Estimating the construction times for new nuclear plants is a difficult task that depends on many factors. More conventional plants are well defined and can be built in a few years, while more advanced designs will require more time for development. The NuScale first NuScale plant is set to come online in 2026 with about 5 years of construction. Future NuScale plants will further reduce that time.
Want to learn more about nuclear construction times? Check out these resources:
Unlocking Reductions in the Construction Costs of Nuclear (NEA)
- How will small modular reactors affect my community?
Cities that are home to nuclear facilities often see significant economic and social benefits. Much of the money spent building a nuclear plant stays within the local community. Nuclear plants bring high paying, skilled labor jobs to the community, as well as direct investments in infrastructure such as roads and bridges and community services such as schools and hospitals. Nuclear plants draw skilled workers from diverse backgrounds. An investment in nuclear power today creates a more prosperous diverse community tomorrow.
Want to learn more about how nuclear can impact your community? Check out these resources:
Landscape, Environment and Community Impacts of Nuclear Power (University of Cambridge)
Economic and Employment Impacts of Small Modular Reactors (EPI/CAES/NRC)
Comparison to Other Technologies
How does nuclear compare with other energy sources such as solar, wind, or natural gas?
That’s a great question!
We’ve compared nuclear energy with things like solar, wind, and coal-powered energy on their cost, safety, and efficiency.
Nuclear energy offers many advantages over its competitors – Click below to find out more about these different types of energy!
Want to learn more? Head on over to our energy sources page to find out how nuclear compares!
Governance and Oversight
Who is responsible for the project? What organization regulates this project?
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
-Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
- World Nuclear Association
-IAEA’s (International Atomic Energy Agency) SMR Regulator’s Forum
IAEA's (International Atomic Energy Agency) SMR Regulator's Forum list of member
-Canada
-China
-Finland
-France
-Republic of Korea
-Russian Federation
-Saudi Arabia
-United Kingdom
-United States of America
IAEA's (International Atomic Energy Agency) SMR Regulator's Forum list of observes
-European Union
-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development / Nuclear Energy Agency
Get Connected
Who can I contact to learn more?
Check out these great resources to learn more:
-World Nuclear Association (https://www.world-nuclear.org/)
-Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/)
-International Atomic Energy Agency (https://www.iaea.org/)
-Canadian Nuclear Association (https://cna.ca/)
-Nuclear Energy Agency (https://www.oecd-nea.org/)
How can I get involved?
-You can participate these association’s events
- You can join these association’s social media groups (like twitter, facebook, instagram)
-You can get some certification or education about SMR or nuclear energy and then you can find a voluntary job
Send us your question
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