Residents challenge drilling of US firm’s underground Gravity reactor

Residents of Parsons, Kansas, and local advocacy groups have raised significant concerns over Deep Fission’s underground “Gravity” nuclear reactor project, which recently began drilling site characterization. At a contentious community meeting, opponents, including the Prairie Dog Alliance, criticized changes in federal policy that they believe have weakened safety standards and reduced Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversight. Many residents expressed apprehension about the project’s rapid timeline and potential long-term risks, urging a more cautious approach. Deep Fission representatives defended the reactor’s design, emphasizing its placement 6,000 feet underground to prevent traditional meltdown scenarios by balancing internal vessel pressure with external water pressure. They also described an innovative maintenance method involving pulling the reactor unit up via structural pipes for replacement without bringing it fully to the surface. The company clarified that the previously suggested pilot completion date of July 4, 2026, is outdated; instead, they anticipate grid connection and full project realization between 2027 and 2028 after a multi-year validation process