The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to grant Bill Gates-backed Terrapower a construction permit for a nuclear reactor in Wyoming. 

“This is a historic step forward for advanced nuclear energy in the United States and reflects our commitment to delivering timely, predictable decisions grounded in a rigorous and independent safety review,” NRC Chairman Ho Nieh said in a statement. 

The approval is the first commercial reactor the NRC has approved for construction in nearly a decade. 

The Terrapower reactor uses a non-light water reactor design, and the approval is the first of that kind in 40 years.