NRC's Part 57 proposal targets 6–12 month construction permit and operating license reviews for microreactors at ≤100 MWe The NRC published a proposed rule last week (Part 57) creating a microreactor-only licensing track aimed at 6–12 month construction permit and operating license reviews, which is roughly an order of magnitude faster than the timelines the existing fleet sees today. A few of the technical pieces that don't usually get airtime in the headlines: \- Scope is reactors at roughly 100 MWe and below \- Allows approval of fleets of identical reactors under a single design package \- Streamlines environmental review for low-impact projects \- Creates a pathway for limited construction ahead of permitting \- NRC's own cost-savings estimate is $3.76B to $11.84B across all parties The rule was authored inside an Office of Advanced Reactors that doesn't formally stand up until midsummer, which is part of why the velocity is surprising people who were expecting the new office to slow things down rather…