Carbon Free Power Project moves ahead on Small Nuclear Reactor

Carbon Free Power Project, LLC (CFPP) continues to advance the development and deployment of its first-of-a-kind small modular reactor nuclear plant at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) near Idaho Falls, ID.
The wholly owned subsidiary of UAMPS completed field investigation activities at the site in January 2022, a major milestone on the project. 
In August of 2021, CFPP initiated field activities at the CFPP site at INL. This phase of field work involved detailed geotechnical surface and subsurface investigations to further characterize the geologic properties underlying the site and support the analysis of potential volcanic and seismic hazards. It also established a groundwater monitoring network to support protection of the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer and commissioned an on-site meteorological monitoring station to collect site-specific atmospheric data. 
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment to complete this critical-path scope safely, in challenging weather conditions, and without schedule impacts,” said Shawn Hughes, CFPP Project Director. “The Fluor team and their subcontractors did an exceptional job planning and executing the work.”
Safety performance has been outstanding on the project through completion of the site investigation activities at the CFPP Site.  The RIZZO and S&ME teams, working under the direction of Fluor, performed more than 33,200 hours of field work without a recordable incident.  Much of this work was completed in adverse conditions as winter set in at the INL Site. 
In parallel with the completion of field work at the CFPP Site, the project is also moving forward with the development of a Combined License Application (COLA) in accordance with 10 CFR 52 and requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 
Analysis of the data collected from the site investigation campaign, as well as a two-year monitoring campaign, will be presented in the COLA to address key safety and environmental considerations associated with the siting and licensing for the reactor. The COLA will also provide additional project specific facility design information, which will support the NRC’s safety and environmental reviews as well as public consultations.
Completion of the COLA and submittal to the NRC is scheduled for early 2024. Startup and commissioning of the CFPP is planned for 2029.