NRC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants

Summary:

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed rule to amend agency regulations for nuclear power plants transitioning from operations to decommissioning. The proposed rule was published today in the Federal Register. Comments will be accepted for 75 days, through May 17. The proposed rule and related documents are also available on the NRC website, with information about upcoming public meetings to present the proposed rule and receive public comments. Two online public meetings will be held March 21 at 1 p.m., Eastern time, and March 31 at 4 p.m., Eastern time. Additional public meetings may be added during the comment period. Current NRC regulations establish safety requirements for the commercial operation of nuclear power plants. These regulations do not have separate requirements for the significantly lower safety hazards associated with a permanently shut down and defueled reactor undergoing decommissioning. As a result, the NRC has allowed incremental changes to various requirements, including emergency preparedness, through exemptions and license amendments. The proposed rule would implement specific regulatory requirements for different phases of the decommissioning process, consistent with the reduced risk. The proposed regulation would incorporate lessons learned from plants that have recently transitioned to decommissioning and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory framework.

Additional Discussion:

Link to Proposed Rule

• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/03/03/2022-03131/regulatory-improvements-for-producti...

Associated Files:

• Public Comment Nuc Plnt Decom 22-010