Research and Test Reactors

Research and Test Reactors – also called RTRs or “non-power” reactors – are low-power nuclear reactors that are primarily used for research, training and development. There are 32 operating NRC-licensed RTRs around the country that are used to study almost every field of science. Regulating the safety and security of RTRs is one of NRC’s jobs.

RTRs are designed and operated so that material is not easily handled or dispersed. This protects the public and environment against potential radiological exposure or theft of the material. RTRs are licensed to have only small amounts of radioactive material on site. The NRC evaluates and inspects each RTR’s security plans, procedures and systems to verify that effective security measures are in place to protect the reactors.

• Size Matters

NRC-licensed RTRs range in size from 20 Megawatts (MW) to 5 Watts (about the size of a child’s nightlight). In comparison, the typical operating nuclear power plant is 3,000MW and can power over 1 million homes.

Rules of Regulation

Because NRC-licensed RTRs operate at significantly lower power levels than their power plant cousins and have a limited amount of radioactive material on site, the standard for regulating these reactors is different. In fact, the NRC is federally mandated to apply the minimum regulation needed to protect the public health and safety at RTRs so they can effectively conduct education and research.

After 9/11, the NRC established additional security measures and inspected RTRs to ensure the measures were followed. The NRC identified several potential enhancements and RTRs around the country voluntarily implemented many of the improvements. With these security measures in place, the NRC has determined that these reactors pose minimasl risk to public health and safety.

Today, the NRC continues to monitor RTR security through our regulatory processes. If threat conditions change, such that they could potentially affect public health and safety, the NRC will act promptly to further enhance security at RTRs.