Materials Environmental Reviews
- Fuel Cycle Facilities
- Public Involvement in the Fuel Cycle Program
- Uranium Recovery Facilities
- Public Involvement in Uranium Recovery
- Outreach Strategy for Indian Tribes Potentially Affected by Uranium Recovery Sites
- MOU between BLM and the NRC for Uranium Recovery Facilities
- Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
- Public Involvement in Spent Fuel Storage
- Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities
- Public Involvement in Decommissioning
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Frequently Asked Questions About NRC's Role Under the National Environmental Policy Act
- NUREG-1748, "Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires all Federal agencies to evaluate the impacts of proposed major actions on the human environment. The NRC complies with NEPA through its regulations in 10 CFR Part 51.
The Environmental Review Branch in the NRC's Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) serves as the Center of Excellence for conducting environmental reviews in support of NMSS regulatory and licensing actions. The Environmental Review Branch considers the environmental effects of the proposed action on land use, water quality and use, ecological resources, noise, public and occupational health, socioeconomics, air quality, and environmental justice to name a few.
On this page:
Projects
The Environmental Review Branch develops all environmental impact statements (EISs) and complex environmental assessments (EAs) for decommissioning activities, uranium recovery licensing, fuel cycle licensing, spent fuel and transportation licensing, and rulemaking actions. The Environmental Review Branch also reviews and coordinates with other Federal and State agencies; develops environmental guidance; and provides assistance, training, and support in the environmental review areas.
The following table presents a list of current NEPA reviews.
| Facility | Facility Type | Application Type | NEPA Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrus/Lead Cascade | Enrichment Test Facility | License Amendment | Environmental Assessment |
| Cimarron | Decommissioning Materials Site (former Fuel Fabrication Facility) | License Termination Plan | Environmental Assessment |
| Crow Butte | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Crow Butte - North Trend | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Amendment | Environmental Assessment |
| Crownpoint | Uranium Recovery | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| HiStorm (Holtec) | Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation | New License Application | Environmental Impact Statement |
| Honeywell | Fuel Facility | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Kendrick | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Amendment | Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement |
| LaCrosse | Decommissioning Power Reactor Site | License Termination Plan | Environmental Assessment |
| Lost Creek | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Amendment | Environmental Impact Statement (BLM is lead agency) |
| North Anna | Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Smith Ranch Highland | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| TMI-2 | Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Trojan | Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Waste Control Specialists (WCS) | Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation | New License Application | Environmental Impact Statement |
| Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC (Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility) | Uranium Fuel Fabrication | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Water Remediation Technology (WRT), LLC | Uranium Recovery | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Zion | Decommissioning Power Reactor Site | License Termination Plan | Environmental Assessment |
Public Involvement
The environmental review process under NEPA provides an opportunity for the public to provide input into the NRC's review, whether it is through scoping, or submitting comments on a draft EIS. See Documents for Comment for a list of NEPA documents available for comment.
In addition to NEPA, the NRC's regulatory process provides a variety of opportunities for the public to participate. The NRC announces upcoming public meetings to enable interested members of the public to participate. NRC also encourages public involvement in rulemaking, uranium recovery, fuel cycle programs, spent fuel storage topics, and decommissioning. In addition, the NRC provides notices of major licensing applications to inform the public about hearings and opportunities to intervene. If you have questions or need additional information, Contact Us about NEPA Reviews.
