Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 & 2 – Subsequent License Renewal Application

 On this page:

• Application Information
• Subsequent License Renewal Review Schedule
• Safety Evaluation
• Environmental Review
• Public Involvement
• Project Managers for Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2

Application Information

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• Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 – Subsequent License Renewal Application
• Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 – Subsequent License Renewal Environmental Report  

Subsequent License Renewal Review Schedule

These schedules reflect work plans that are subject to change. Early completion of a milestone may affect the target date of future milestones. Subsequent meetings and comment periods may change based on the revised schedule. This work plan will be updated on a periodic basis. Please see the NRC Public Meetings Page or contact the below listed PM for the latest information on meetings and status.

*  On February 24, 2022, the NRC Commission issued three orders (CLI-22-02, CLI-22-03, and CLI-22-04) and Staff Requirements Memorandum, SECY-21-0066, “Rulemaking Plan for Renewing Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses – Environmental Review,” that impact the subsequent license renewal of the following plants:

• Turkey Point, Units 3 and 4;
• Peach Bottom, Units 2 and 3;
• North Anna, Units 1 and 2;
• Point Beach, Units 1 and 2;
• Oconee Units, 1, 2, and 3; and
• St. Lucie, Units, 1 and 2.

In response to the Commission’s orders, on August 6, 2024 (89 Federal Register 64166), the NRC amended its environmental protection regulations by updating the Commission’s 2013 findings on the environmental effect of renewing the operating license of a nuclear power plant. The final rule was updated with a correction on August 21, 2024 (89 Federal Register 67522).This final rule redefines the number and scope of the environmental issues that must be addressed during the review of each application for license renewal. As part of this update, the NRC issued Revision 2 to NUREG-1437, “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants” (LR GEIS), to account for new information and to address the impacts of initial license renewals, which the previous versions considered, as well as first subsequent license renewals. The LR GEIS, Revision 2, provides the technical basis for the final rule. The final rule became effective for NRC staff on September 5, 2024. Compliance by license renewal applicants is not required until 1 year from the date of publication (i.e., August 6, 2025).

Safety Evaluation

The NRC staff reviewed the Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, subsequent license renewal application for compliance with the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 54, "Requirements for Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants" and prepared a safety evaluation to document its findings. The "Safety Evaluation Related to the Subsequent License Renewal of Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2," was issued on February 23, 2022. Revision 1 “Safety Evaluation Related to the Subsequent License Renewal of Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 Revision 1” was issued on May 25, 2022.

Environmental Review

NUREG-1437, Supplement 23, Second Renewal, "Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Regarding Subsequent License Renewal for Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, Final Report"

 was published August 8, 2025. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff prepared this supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) as part of its environmental review of NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC’s (NextEra) application to renew the operating licenses for Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 (Point Beach) for an additional 20 years. This SEIS incorporates both the first and second draft reports for comment and any changes made in response to public comments on the first and second draft reports for comment. This SEIS includes the NRC staff’s evaluation of the environmental impacts of the proposed action (Point Beach subsequent license renewal) and alternatives to subsequent license renewal. Alternatives considered include (1) a new nuclear alternative (a small modular reactor facility located at the Point Beach site); (2) a natural gas alternative (a natural gas combined-cycle facility located at the Point Beach site); (3) a combination alternative consisting of small modular reactor, solar photovoltaic, and onshore wind facilities; and (4) the no-action alternative. The NRC staff’s recommendation is that the adverse environmental impacts of subsequent license renewal for Point Beach are not so great that preserving the option of subsequent license renewal for energy-planning decisionmakers would be unreasonable. The NRC staff based its recommendation on the following:

• the analysis and findings in NUREG-1437, Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants
• the environmental report submitted by NextEra, as supplemented
• the NRC staff’s consultation with Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental agencies
• the NRC staff’s independent environmental review
• the NRC staff’s consideration of public comments received during the scoping period
• the NRC staff’s consideration of public comments on the draft SEIS and the second draft SEIS

Public Involvement

The public is encouraged to participate in the reactor license renewal process through public meetings, and public comment periods on rules, renewal guidance, and other documents.  The Reactor License Renewal Public Involvement page provides general information to help the public participate. 
 

Project Managers for Point Beach, Units 1 and 2