Data / Federal rules / 2026-13687

Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published this proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 7, 2026. Comments closed on August 21, 2026.

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What the agency says

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to revise the NRC's regulations to streamline and modernize its implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). These proposed revisions address Presidential directives in Executive Order (E.O.) 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," E.O. 14154, "Unleashing American Energy," Executive Order 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation," Executive Order 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy;" recent amendments to NEPA; and relevant NEPA case law. In addition, these proposed revisions aim to reduce regulatory burden while complying with NEPA requirements. The proposed rule would narrow the scope of NEPA reviews to effects (or impacts) within the NRC's substantive statutory authority; revise definitions; update procedures for determining the level of NEPA review; establish new categorical exclusions; provide new flexibility for licensees, applicants, and petitioners for rulemaking to submit environmental information; and remove outdated requirements and consolidate content provisions to improve clarity and efficiency. Consistent with section 102(2)(B) of NEPA and E.O. 14300, the NRC consulted with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) during the development of this proposed rule. The NRC is issuing new draft guidance NUREG-2270, "Environmental Review Guidance for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Actions," for the implementation of the proposed requirements in this rulemaking. The NRC staff will carry out its NEPA responsibilities consistent with the proposed requirements in this rulemaking and the guidance in NUREG-2270.

Key facts

Document number

2026-13687

Type

Proposed rule

Action

Proposed rule

Agency

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Published

July 7, 2026

Comments due

August 21, 2026

Dates

Comments must be submitted electronically using https:// www.regulations.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on August 21, 2026. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the Commission is able to ensure consideration of only comments received before this date.

Docket

NRC-2025-0478

Regulation ID (RIN)

3150-AL38

Code of Federal Regulations

10 CFR 2; 10 CFR 30; 10 CFR 40; 10 CFR 50; 10 CFR 51; 10 CFR 52; 10 CFR 53; 10 CFR 54; 10 CFR 61; 10 CFR 70; 10 CFR 72; 10 CFR 76; 10 CFR 110

Topics

Administrative practice and procedure; Antitrust; Classified information; Confidential business information; Education; Emergency medical services; Environmental impact statements; Environmental protection; Exports; Fees; Fire prevention; Freedom of information; Government contracts; Hazardous materials transportation; Hazardous waste; Imports; Indians; Intergovernmental relations; Nuclear energy; Nuclear materials; Nuclear power plants and reactors; Packaging and containers; Penalties; Radiation protection; Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; Scientific equipment; Security measures; Sex discrimination; Uranium; Waste treatment and disposal; Whistleblowing

Significant

Yes, under Executive Order 12866

Pages

48

The document on federalregister.gov PDF

Other documents from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Everything from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission · Rules on administrative practice and procedure · Rules on antitrust · Rules on classified information · Published in July 2026

Read from the Federal Register API, last updated 2026-10-23. The document on federalregister.gov is the official record; dates and dockets can change through later corrections. Free to reuse with credit to SpecStream under CC BY 4.0.