The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has directed the staff to issue a final rule and
corresponding update to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement the agency uses when
considering applications to renew operating reactor licenses.
The rule, to be issued once the staff incorporates Commission direction, will become
effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
The revisions to the NRC’s environmental regulations, updated GEIS, and accompanying
guidance documents fully address license renewal (40 to 60 years of operation) and subsequent
license renewal (60 to 80 years of operation).
The GEIS covers environmental topics relevant to all nuclear power plant licensees
seeking renewed licenses. The revised document accounts for new or revised environmental
impacts, reflects changes in regulations or guidance, and applies what the agency has learned
during previous license renewals. The NRC will notify the public when the final rule is
published.
