The state of Alaska has signed regulations that dictate where small nuclear reactors, also known as "microreactors," can be built in the state. These regulations arrive as the U.S. Air Force plans to build the state's first microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base. The regulations include restrictions such as prohibiting the construction of a reactor within 2,700 feet of a residence, 300 feet of a national park or game reserve, and within coastal areas vulnerable to storm surge. The regulations also require approval from the local municipal government and, if the reactor is planned for a site outside an organized borough, approval from the Alaska Legislature. The regulations do not specifically address nuclear safety but focus on the siting of the reactors. The new regulations will come into effect in August, and any proposed microreactors will need to obtain permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:02:05 GMT | Alaska Beacon