US Regulator Begins Environmental Review Of Pioneer Small Modular Reactor Project

Holtec subsidiary planning two nuclear units at Palisades site in Michigan

US Regulator Begins Environmental Review Of Pioneer Small Modular Reactor Project
A computer-generated image of two SMR-300 units at the Palisades site in Michigan. Courtesy Holtec.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has begun its environmental review of an application from Palisades SMR for the Pioneer small modular reactor (SMR) project in Michigan.

A notice in the Federal Register includes instructions for the public to comment by 15 July on any environmental issues the NRC and the Army Corps of Engineers, a cooperating agency, should consider in the review.

Palisades SMR, a subsidiary of Texas-based Holtec International, is seeking a limited work authorisation for the Pioneer project, which could provide about 600 MW of electricity to support the nation’s energy needs.

The company submitted Part 1 of a phased construction permit application on 31 December 2025, including a request to authorise certain construction activities for two potential SMR-300 units.

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