Abilene Christian University Molten Salt Research Reactor construction permit: NRC construction permit review for Abilene Christian University — issued, 21.9 months from docketing to decision. Sourced dates and schedule.
Background: NRC reactor licensing process, explained · The ADVANCE Act, explained: what changed and where the NRC stands
Current state
| Type | Construction permit |
| Outcome | Issued |
| Applicant | Abilene Christian University |
| Facility | Molten Salt Research Reactor (Abilene, Texas) |
| Docket | 50-610 |
| Submitted | 2022-08-12 |
| Docketed (accepted for review) | 2022-11-18 |
| NRC planned schedule | 22 months |
| NRC target date | — |
| Final safety evaluation | 2024-09-16 |
| Decision | 2024-09-16 |
| Review time (docketed → decision) | 21.9 mo |
| Submitted → decision | 25.2 mo |
| NRC-reported review duration | 21 months |
| NRC-reported resources vs estimate | 13% under |
Review time is measured in average months from the date the NRC docketed the application to the decision. The NRC's own reported durations may measure to the final safety evaluation instead.
Notes
Research reactor (10 CFR 50, section 104c). Operating license: NRC pre-application page says ACU submitted a revised Regulatory Engagement Plan on October 31, 2024 'related to its application for an operating license'; no OL application receipt/docketing was found in NRC pages or the Federal Register as of 2026-10-16, so no OL record. Submitted: NRC project page: 'August 12, 2022 (date of application submittal)'. FR gives the application date, not a separate receipt date.
Timeline
- 2022-08-12 — Application received: “The construction permit application is dated August 12, 2022.” (source)
- 2022-11-18 — Accepted for review (docketed): “This action became effective on November 18, 2022.” (source)
- 2024-09-16 — Final safety evaluation issued. (source)
- 2024-09-16 — Issued: “Construction Permit No. CPRR-124 was issued on September 16, 2024.” (source)
The timeline is append-only: corrections are added as new entries. See the NNN Data License Terms for reuse of the event history.
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Sources
- https://www.nrc.gov/licensing-applications/non-power-facilities/new-facility-licensing/msrr-abilene-christian-university-application
- https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-22294
- https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-25890
- https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-21468
- https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2424/ML24243A040.pdf
- https://www.nrc.gov/regulations-legislation/effectiveness-efficiency-and-timeliness-initiatives-that-support-unleashing-american-energy/licensing-efficiencies