The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a construction permit application from Eden Radioisotopes LLC for a new medical isotope production facility in Lea County, New Mexico. This proposed facility aims to produce isotopes for medical imaging and radiotherapeutic purposes.
Submitted on May 5, the application details a non-power production and utilization facility, which includes a 1.8-megawatt thermal non-power reactor designed to irradiate targets. A separate processing facility will then separate the desired isotopes.
The NRC staff is currently reviewing the application to ensure its completeness before initiating a detailed technical evaluation. Should it be deemed sufficient, the application will be docketed, and the NRC will publish a notice offering an opportunity for an adjudicatory hearing before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. Eden Radioisotopes LLC will need to submit a separate application for operational permission in the future.