Michigan Pioneer Nuclear Units Get Phased Build Okay
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Notice
Summary
SMR, LLC has asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for permission to start building two new small nuclear reactors called Pioneer Units 1 and 2 in Michigan. This first step lets them do limited work while the full permit is reviewed, speeding up the project without big money moves yet. This means local communities and energy users can look forward to cleaner power in the future.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Limited Early Construction Request
SMR, LLC submitted a Limited Work Authorization (LWA) request to the NRC to begin certain early construction activities for two SMR-300 units named Pioneer Unit 1 and Pioneer Unit 2 at the Palisades Energy Center in Covert, Michigan. The LWA would let the applicant do limited work while the full construction permit is reviewed, which the notice describes as speeding up the project without big money moves yet.
Public Participation During NRC Review
If the NRC staff accepts Part 1 for docketing, the staff will begin a detailed technical review and subsequent Federal Register notices will describe opportunities for public participation during that review. This gives members of the public a formal chance to participate in the NRC review process for the Pioneer Units.
Application Available Publicly Online
The Part 1 LWA application and supporting documents are publicly available in the NRC's ADAMS system under Package Accession No. ML25365A983 and on the NRC website for the SMR-300 Pioneer Units. Anyone may inspect the application using the stated ADAMS accession number or the NRC web page link.
Part Two Submission Timeline
SMR plans to submit Part 2 of the phased construction permit application no later than 18 months after the Part 1 submittal. Part 1 of the application was filed on December 31, 2025, making the Part 2 commitment tied to that filing date.
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