A new step has been taken toward licensing a next-generation nuclear reactor in the United States after First American Nuclear submitted a regulatory engagement plan for its EAGL-1 small modular reactor to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

 

The filing formally begins pre-application engagement with the regulator and marks progress toward a future construction permit for the project.

First of it kind

EAGL-1 is a fast-spectrum small modular reactor design based on a liquid metal fast reactor system using lead-bismuth coolant. The design targets an electrical output of about 240 megawatts per unit and is intended for clustered deployment of multiple reactors at a single site.

 

The reactor is designed to operate within existing U.S. licensing rules. A review conducted under a Department of Energy-supported program by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory concluded that the concept could be licensed under current regulatory criteria, pending further technical development.

 

The system uses a non-pressurized configuration with passive decay heat removal and is designed to eliminate the need for operator intervention in shutdown cooling scenarios. The fuel design uses high-assay low-enriched uranium dioxide.

 

The company is also developing a lead-bismuth test loop intended to provide physical performance data for regulators during the review process.

 

The project incorporates a separation between the nuclear steam supply system and the balance of plant, which includes turbines and electrical generation equipment. The balance of plant is designed to use commercially available components.

 

A bridge power approach allows initial electricity generation using conventional gas-fired systems while the nuclear licensing process is ongoing. The system is designed to transition to nuclear operation once approval is granted.

EAGL-1 design

The EAGL-1 design targets an electrical output of approximately 240 megawatts per unit, with planned deployment in multi-reactor clusters of four to six units. At full configuration, a single site could generate enough electricity to supply up to 1.5 million homes, positioning the project within the utility-scale segment of the nuclear market rather than smaller pilot applications.

 

The reactor system is designed for factory fabrication and shipment as pre-assembled modules, with the nuclear steam supply system fully assembled and tested prior to delivery. The balance of plant will rely on commercially available components, a configuration intended to standardize construction, reduce on-site complexity, and support repeatable deployment across multiple locations.

 

The project involves collaboration with engineering and academic partners, including AtkinsRéalis and Purdue University, along with support from state-level industrial development programs in Indiana.

 

The regulatory engagement plan includes a phased submission schedule covering safety criteria, fuel qualification, thermal hydraulics, and risk assessment, supported by regular technical meetings with the NRC.

Additionally; the development reflects broader momentum in U.S. nuclear innovation, with several independent projects progressing through regulatory and construction pathways across different states, including developments such as Kairos Power’s Hermes 2 reactor project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 

EAGL-1 SMR Project – Key Facts

• Project name: EAGL-1 Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
• Developer: First American Nuclear
• Regulator: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Project status: Pre-application regulatory engagement submitted

Technology

• Reactor type: Liquid metal fast reactor (LMFR)
• Coolant: Lead-bismuth alloy
• Capacity: ~240 MWe per unit
• Fuel type: High-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) dioxide
• Configuration: Non-pressurized, passive safety system

Design & Safety

• Passive decay heat removal (no operator action required)
• “Walk-away safe” design philosophy
• No intermediate heat transfer loop required
• Core design eliminates risk of coolant-air/water chemical reactions
• Designed for licensing under existing NRC framework

Construction & Deployment

• Factory-built modular reactor system
• Reactor systems shipped as pre-tested assemblies
• Balance of plant uses commercial off-the-shelf equipment
• Designed for multi-unit clusters (4–6 reactors per site)

Energy & Operations

• Intended output supports 1.5 million homes (per multi-unit cluster)
• “Bridge Power” system allows initial gas-fired electricity generation before nuclear operation
• Transition model from gas power to nuclear once licensed

Development Partners

• AtkinsRéalis – engineering support
• Purdue University – testing and research collaboration
• Supported by U.S. DOE-linked research programs and GAIN initiative

Regulatory Milestone

• Submission of regulatory engagement plan opens NRC pre-application phase
• Structured schedule of technical white papers planned
• Includes thermal hydraulics, fuel qualification, and safety case development