On September 21, 2020, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) voted to develop and codify a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the construction and operation of advanced nuclear reactors through a technology-neutral, plant parameter envelope (PPE) approach. GEISs have the potential to materially reduce the licensing burden on NRC advanced reactor applicants, given that environmental
NEPA
Proposed Reforms to NEPA & Their Impact on New Nuclear
The Council on Environmental Quality is proposing major changes to its regulations concerning the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), that if implemented could have impacts on advanced reactor licensing. These changes, if put into effect, will be among the most monumental revisions to the NEPA process since 1978, and come at a time when the…
NRC Considers GEIS for Advanced Reactors – Your Input Needed!
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held two public meetings on November 15th and 20th to solicit feedback as to whether to compile a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the construction and operation of advanced reactors. GEISs have the potential to materially reduce the licensing burden on NRC advanced reactor applicants, given that…
Nuclear Innovation Alliance Publishes Two Papers on Streamlining NRC Licensing Reviews for Advanced Reactors
The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) late last week published two papers on recommendations for addressing regulatory challenges related to advanced reactor licensing:
- Nuclear Innovation and NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act)
- Establishing Interface Requirements for “Major Portions” Standard Design Approvals
The blog authors had the pleasure of…
The White House Infrastructure Plan & Permitting Reform Opportunities
The White House released its long-awaited infrastructure plan outline last week. Leaving aside the funding proposals, the plan sets forth a number of potential revisions to the environmental permitting process for new infrastructure projects that may deserve a closer look (these are found in Part III of the infrastructure plan outline). Hogan Lovells has issued…
Environmental Review of Interim Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel Moves Forward
The NRC staff recently made public plans to move ahead with early preparations for an Environmental Impact Statement for Waste Control Specialists’ interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. …
Continue Reading Environmental Review of Interim Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel Moves Forward