Ryan Lighty on Energy Policy

NRC Updates Guidance on Power Reactor Decommissioning Costs

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires nuclear power reactor licensees to maintain decommissioning cost estimates and to adjust those estimates periodically to account for inflation and other matters, pursuant to...more

3/9/2023 / Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) , Decommissioned Facilities , Energy Policy , Energy Sector , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Recordkeeping Requirements

NRC Selects Aggressive Schedule to Confirm GEIS Applicability to Subsequent License Renewal

The Commission recently approved the NRC Staff’s recommendation to pursue a 24-month schedule for updating the agency’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (LR GEIS). The Commission’s...more

4/15/2022 / Energy Policy , Energy Projects , Environmental Policies , NEPA , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Rulemaking Process

From Prescriptive to Performance-Based: New NRC Rules on Emergency Preparedness

The NRC is taking an important step toward an inclusive licensing regime for a new generation of reactors. On January 3, the NRC staff submitted for commission approval a recommended final rule on “Emergency Preparedness for...more

1/25/2022 / Electricity , Energy Policy , Energy Sector , Licensing Rules , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Power Plants

SUNSI You Later: NRC Moves Closer to 2022 CUI Implementation with Rulemaking Recommendation

On December 10, the NRC staff issued SECY-21-0105 seeking approval from the NRC commissioners to publish a notice of final rule that would officially replace the NRC's sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (SUNSI)...more

12/31/2021 / Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) , Energy Policy , Energy Sector , Final Rules , Information Sharing , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Rulemaking Process

Sunset on SUNSI: NRC Moves Closer to Implementing CUI Program

Several years ago, the US government embarked on a project to standardize federal agency programs—including the NRC’s—for managing unclassified-but-sensitive information. At the NRC, this government-wide Controlled...more

12/8/2021 / Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) , Energy Policy , Government Agencies , Information Sharing , NARA , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Policy Statement

NRC Issues License Renewal GEIS Update Scoping Summary Report

In a recently issued NRC adjudicatory decision, the Commission reaffirmed its regulatory interpretation allowing power reactor licensees applying for subsequent license renewal (SLR), and the NRC Staff reviewing these...more

7/12/2021 / Climate Change , Energy Policy , Environmental Impact Statements , Environmental Review , License Renewals , NEPA , Nuclear Power

NRC to Consider Streamlining NEPA Process with Additional Categorical Exclusions

The NRC recently published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) seeking public comments on possible amendments to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations on categorical exclusions. Comments are due...more

5/17/2021 / Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) , Energy Policy , Energy Reform , Infrastructure , Legislative Agendas , NEPA , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Public Comment

NRC Overhauls Public Meeting ‘Category’ Definitions

The NRC recently approved a revision to its Policy Statement, “Enhancing Participation in NRC Public Meetings.” If you have attended an NRC public meeting in the past few decades, you may be familiar with the NRC’s triage of...more

3/22/2021 / Energy Policy , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Policy Statement , Public Meetings

Progress on Alignment of New Reactor Licensing Requirements

The NRC recently held a meeting to discuss the path forward on its plans to address inconsistencies between the two primary licensing paths for new reactors. The agency estimates that its streamlining effort will result in...more

3/10/2021 / Comment Period , Energy Policy , Licensing Rules , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Power Infrastructure , Power Plants

Changes We Can Expect Now That Biden Has Designated Hanson as NRC Chairman

President Joe Biden has elevated Democratic Commissioner Christopher T. Hanson to serve as Chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Mr. Hanson succeeds former Republican Chairman Christine Svinicki—the...more

1/25/2021 / Administrative Appointments , Biden Administration , Energy Policy , Energy Reform , Infrastructure , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Power Plants

NRC Staff Proposes Rulemaking to Update Environmental Regulations

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Staff has sought the Commission’s approval to initiate a rulemaking to update the agency’s environmental protection regulations for licensing activities....more

1/22/2021 / Energy Policy , Environmental Policies , Environmental Review , Infrastructure , NEPA , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Regulatory Agenda

NRC Withdraws Unpopular Proposed VLLW Interpretive Rule

Under the substantial weight of industry, state, and public pressure, the NRC yesterday published a notice in the Federal Register (85 FR 81960) announcing its withdrawal of its proposed highly controversial reinterpretation...more

12/18/2020 / Energy Policy , Infrastructure , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Regulatory Standards , Waste Disposal

NRC Reaffirms Its Decision Allowing SLR Applicants to Rely on License Renewal GEIS

In a recently issued NRC adjudicatory decision, the Commission reaffirmed its regulatory interpretation allowing power reactor licensees applying for subsequent license renewal (SLR), and the NRC Staff reviewing these...more

11/25/2020 / Energy Policy , Environmental Impact Statements , Infrastructure , License Renewals , NEPA , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Power Plants , Regulatory Reform , Regulatory Requirements

NRC Updates Internal Guidance on Environmental Reviews

The NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) recently issued Revision 4 to Office Instruction LIC-203, “Procedural Guidance for Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, and Considering Environmental Issues.” ...more

7/16/2020 / Energy Policy , Environmental Policies , Environmental Review , Infrastructure , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Power Plants

Update: NRC Releases Guidance on Requesting Exemptions from Fire Protection Requirements

The NRC Staff released specific guidance to operating and decommissioning reactor licensees on requesting exemptions from fire protection requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE) on May 14....more

5/20/2020 / Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Emergency Management Plans , Energy Policy , Exemptions , Fires , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Power Plants , Regulatory Requirements

Update: NRC Releases Specific Guidance on Requesting Exemptions from Emergency Preparedness Requirements

The NRC Staff released specific guidance to all licensees on how to request exemptions from emergency preparedness (EP) biennial exercise requirements on May 14. The guidance supplements the NRC’s April 30 teleconference,...more

5/20/2020 / Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Emergency Management Plans , Energy Policy , Exemptions , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Power Plants

NRC Issues Guidance to Research and Test Reactor Licensees on Relief from MC&A Requirements

The NRC issued a letter to the National Organization of Test, Research, and Training Reactors on April 30 regarding the NRC’s expedited review of requests for regulatory relief from certain material control and accounting...more

5/7/2020 / Accounting , Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Energy Policy , Infrastructure , Internal Controls , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Recordkeeping Requirements , Regulatory Requirements , Relief Measures

NRC Defers Annual Licensing Fees for 90 Days

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently approved a 90-day deferral of all annual fee invoices that would have been issued to NRC licensees (including holders of reactor, fuel cycle facility, and materials...more

4/15/2020 / Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Energy Policy , Licensing Fees , Nuclear Power , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Relief Measures

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