Federal Register #2026-08015

NRC Final Rule: Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a final rule updating its environmental review process for new nuclear reactor licensing: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - Main offices in Washington, DC and Rockville, MD - Scope of Rule: - Amends NRC regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act for new nuclear reactor applications - Codifies findings from the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors (NUREG-2249) - Establishes a technology-neutral framework for environmental reviews - Defines which environmental impacts are generic and which require project-specific analysis - Guidance Documents Released: - Revision 4 to Regulatory Guide 4.2: 'Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations' - COL-ISG-030: 'Environmental Considerations Associated with New Nuclear Reactor Applications that Reference the Generic Environmental Impact Statement' - Notable Requirements: - Technology-neutral approach for all reactor types - Periodic review and update of generic findings - Clear guidance for applicants on structuring environmental reports - No OEMs or vendors are mentioned, as this is a regulatory action, not a procurement - The rule aims to streamline and clarify the environmental review process for new nuclear reactor licensing

Description

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations governing environmental reviews of new nuclear reactor applications under the National Environmental Policy Act. The rulemaking codifies the generic findings of the NRC's Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors, using a technology-neutral framework and plant/site parameters to determine common impacts for construction, operation, and decommissioning. It also identifies impacts requiring project-specific analysis and issues revision 4 to regulatory guide 4.2 and COL-ISG-030. This final rule is effective May 26, 2026.

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