Public Involvement in Decommissioning

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) considers public involvement in decommissioning activities to be a cornerstone of strong, fair regulation of decommissioning. The public is invited to comment on the decommissioning process and proposed regulations, in addition to observing or participating in certain meetings.  For information about upcoming meetings, see our Public Meeting Schedule page where you can search by date, facility docket, or location.

General Information about Opportunities for Public Involvement in Decommissioning

When a power reactor licensee submits a post-shutdown decommissioning activities report (PSDAR), and subsequently when a licensee submits a license termination plan (LTP), the NRC will hold a public meeting in the vicinity of the facility after each submittal.

When a materials licensee submits a decommissioning plan (DP), the NRC may hold a public meeting in the vicinity of the facility if local interest in the decommissioning of the facility is high.

When the NRC holds a meeting with a licensee, members of the public are allowed to observe the meeting (except when the discussion involves proprietary, sensitive, safeguards, or classified information).

The public has an opportunity to provide comments whenever a licensee submits a PSDAR, LTP, DP, or other license amendment request.

There is an opportunity for a hearing whenever a licensee submits a request for a license amendment.

Whenever the NRC prepares an environmental impact statement (EIS), notice of availability of the draft EIS is published in the Federal Register and the draft is placed on the NRC's Web site for public comment.

For information about upcoming meetings, please visit our Public Meeting Schedule page.