Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NRC - 100 final rules and 50 proposed rules tracked from the Federal Register.
Rulemaking Activity: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
PlainRegWatch tracks 100 Federal Register documents from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), split between 56 final rules already in effect and 44 proposed rules still in the comment or review stage. None of these documents are currently flagged as economically significant under Executive Order 12866.
The most recent document on file was published July 1, 2026. Each entry links to the original Federal Register record so you can verify the rule's text, effective date, and comment history directly at the source.
Final Rules (56)
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certi...
July 1, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc. (NAC) MAGNASTOR[supreg] System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment Nos. 16 and 17 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 16 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1031. Amendment No. 16 revises the CoC to permit alternate methods for determining the free volume inside a loaded canister and for measuring helium to ensure that Technical Specification limits are met. It also clarifies that mixed loadings of different assembly types or subtypes within a single Transportable Storage Canister (TSC) are acceptable. Amendment No. 17 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 16 revise the CoC to incorporate changes to the design basis for the MAGNASTOR[supreg] storage system to correct an error with M5 fuel cladding material yield strength that was introduced in CoC No. 1031, Amendment No. 14 and the associated revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 13.
Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026
June 16, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. These amendments are necessary to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which requires the NRC to recover, to the maximum extent practicable, approximately 100 percent of its annual budget, less certain amounts excluded from this fee recovery requirement. In addition, the NRC is making amendments to establish fixed caps on service fees to implement section5(a) of Executive Order 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission." The fixed fee caps will provide cost predictability and drive increased efficiency and accountability in the NRC's licensing and other activities requested by applicants and licensees.
Exceptions From Foreign Ownership, Control, or Domination
June 5, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of July 7, 2026, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2026. This direct final rule amended the NRC's regulations on foreign ownership, control, or domination (FOCD) of utilization facilities to comply with section 301 of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage Syste...
June 1, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of June 16, 2026, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2026. This direct final rule amended Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 5 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1040.
Adjustment of Civil Penalties for Inflation for Fiscal Year 2026
June 1, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is notifying the public that its civil monetary penalty amounts will not increase for the 2026 calendar year, and is discontinuing the rulemaking activity, "Adjustment of Civil Penalties for Inflation for Fiscal Year 2026." This rulemaking activity will no longer be reported in the NRC's portion of the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (the Unified Agenda).
State of Wyoming: Discontinuance of Certain Commission Regulatory Authority Within the State; Notice...
May 1, 2026This notification is announcing that on April 20, 2026, Ho K. Nieh, Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission), and on April 21, 2026, Governor Mark Gordon of the State of Wyoming, signed an amended Agreement as authorized by Section 274b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA). Under the amended Agreement, the Commission discontinues its regulatory authority, and the State of Wyoming assumes regulatory authority over source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than its uranium or thorium content. Wyoming's initial Agreement allowed the State to assume regulatory authority over byproduct material as defined in section 11e.(2) of the AEA, and source material involved in the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium in source material and ores at milling facilities.
Cost Expenditure Criteria for Research and Development Utilization Facilities
April 24, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to address the financial criteria used to determine whether a utilization facility that is useful in the conduct of research and development activities is licensed as a commercial facility under section 103, "Commercial Licenses," of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or as a research and development facility under section 104, "Medical Therapy and Research and Development." This rulemaking revises the NRC's regulations to be consistent with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, enacted on January 14, 2019, and the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024, enacted on July 9, 2024.
Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors
April 24, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations that govern the NRC's environmental reviews of new nuclear reactor applications under the National Environmental Policy Act. The rulemaking codifies the generic findings of the NRC's Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors. The Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors uses a technology-neutral framework and a set of plant and site parameters to determine which potential environmental impacts would be common to the construction, operation, and decommissioning of many new nuclear reactors, and thus appropriate for a generic analysis, and which potential environmental impacts would be unique, and thus require a project-specific analysis. The NRC is also issuing revision 4 to regulatory guide 4.2, "Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations," and COL-ISG-030, "Environmental Considerations Associated with New Nuclear Reactor Applications that Reference the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (NUREG-2249)." This rulemaking is separate from NRC's comprehensive review and reform of its regulations, including those governing environmental review, in accordance with Executive Order (E.O.) 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."
Exceptions From Foreign Ownership, Control, or Domination
April 23, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations on foreign ownership, control, or domination (FOCD) of utilization facilities to comply with section 301 of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024. The statute has designated certain exceptions from the FOCD provision set forth in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. This direct final rule affects applicants and licensees of utilization facilities that are owned, controlled, or dominated by a foreign entity.
Increased Flexibility in the Mandatory Hearing Process
April 15, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is revising the agency's rules of practice and procedure and other procedural regulations to increase the flexibility in conducting mandatory hearings in NRC licensing proceedings in response to the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024 (ADVANCE Act) and Executive Order 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors; Correction
April 13, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a final rule that was published in the Federal Register (FR) on March 30, 2026, regarding the amendment of the NRC's regulations to add a risk- informed, performance-based, and technology-inclusive regulatory framework for commercial nuclear plants in response to the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. This action is necessary to correct errors in the final rule and address conflicting amendatory instructions between this final rule and the "Categorical Exclusions From Environmental Review" final rule also published on March 30, 2026.
The Sunset Rule-Aircraft Impact Assessment
April 8, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to insert a conditional sunset date for the requirements for aircraft impact assessment. This action is in response to Executive Order 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy." The NRC has considered public input received on a previous rulemaking to sunset NRC regulations and provides in this document the NRC's response to those public comments that the NRC has deemed significant and adverse.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage Syste...
April 2, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI- STORM UMAX Canister Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 5 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1040. Amendment No. 5 revises the certificate of compliance to include two new versions of the HI-STORM UMAX design (Version B1 and B2).
Categorical Exclusions From Environmental Review
March 30, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations for categorical exclusions for licensing, regulatory, and administrative actions that do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. This final rule eliminates the need to prepare environmental assessments for such NRC actions. The final rule will not change any requirements for applicants or licensees.
Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors
March 30, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations by adding a risk-informed, performance-based, and technology-inclusive regulatory framework for commercial nuclear plants in response to the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA). The current application and licensing requirements were primarily developed to address license requests concerning light water- cooled reactors and operational requirements for those types of reactors. This final rule responds to NEIMA by creating an alternative, technology-inclusive regulatory framework to accommodate licensing of future commercial nuclear plants, including advanced reactor designs that may not employ light-water technology.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System...
March 18, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of April 13, 2026, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2026. The direct final rule amended the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 5 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042.
Freedom of Information Act Implementing Regulations
March 6, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations that implement the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to provide clarity, promote agency accountability, improve efficiency in responding to FOIA requests, update roles and responsibilities, and align the regulations with current Federal best practices for implementing FOIA. This final rule addresses the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommendation that the NRC update its FOIA regulations and incorporate the DOJ's model language for FOIA regulations, where appropriate. The NRC is not soliciting public comment for these changes because the change is limited to an agency rule of procedure and practice.
The Sunset Rule; Correction
February 3, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a document published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2026, regarding the confirmation of effective date for the direct final rule published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2025, amending the NRC's regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to Executive Order 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy." This action is necessary to correct the number of comments docketed on the companion proposed rule.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage Syste...
February 2, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published two direct final rules in the Federal Register, which amended its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment Nos. 3 and 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042 on May 2, 2023 (88 FR 39119), and July 29, 2025 (90 FR 35640), respectively. Amendment No. 3 became effective on July 17, 2023, and Amendment No. 4 became effective on October 14, 2025. The technical specifications for the NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System, Amendment Nos. 3 and 4 contained a typographical error. The purpose of this action is to correct the errors. The final rule contained minor errors in grammar, punctuation, and referencing. This document corrects the final rule by revising the sections that contain these errors.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., NAC-UMS® Universal Storage Syste...
January 30, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of February 23, 2026, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2025. This direct final rule amended the certificate of compliance (CoC) to correct licensing basis deficiencies and updated the address in the CoC to reflect the new address of the applicant's headquarters offices.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage Syste...
January 28, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] Extended Optimized Storage (EOS) Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 5 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1042. Amendment No. 5 revises the CoC to add a new heat load zone configuration (HLZC) for the EOS-37PTH canister, increasing the maximum heat load to 54 kW per dry shielded canister (DSC) for storage in the EOS-Horizontal Storage Module (HSM) and transfer using EOS-Transfer Casks (TC)125/135; clarifies acceptance criteria for minor surface imperfections on high strength low-alloy (HSLA) basket plates in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR); and makes editorial updates to the UFSAR and Technical Specification (TS) revisions to align with Amendment No. 4, improve readability, and correct code references.
Approval of American Society of Mechanical Engineers Unconditioned Code Cases
January 27, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of January 26, 2026, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on September 26, 2025. This direct final rule amended the regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approved unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This action allows nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components.
Commercial Non-Power Production or Utilization Facilities
January 20, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an interpretation of its regulations to include non-power production or utilization facilities (NPUFs) licensed under section 103 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), within the scope of the NRC's backfitting regulations and to exclude non-commercial NPUFs licensed under section 104 of the AEA from the scope of the NRC's backfitting regulations. The interpretation is effective immediately with a 30-day post-promulgation comment period.
The Sunset Rule
January 8, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of January 8, 2026, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2025, except for one provision that is being withdrawn. This direct final rule amended the NRC's regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to Executive Order 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy." The NRC is withdrawing an amendment that would have established a conditional sunset date to the NRC's provisions for aircraft impact assessment.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., NAC-UMS® Universal Storage Syste...
December 8, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc., NAC- UMS[supreg] Universal Storage System (NAC-UMS[supreg]) design listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Renewed Amendment No. 10, and to revise Renewed Amendment Nos. 5 through 9 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1015. The addition of Renewed Amendment No. 10 and Revision 1 to Renewed Amendment Nos. 5 through 9 for the certificate of compliance (CoC) corrects licensing basis deficiencies and updates the address in the CoC to reflect the new address of the applicant's headquarters offices.
The Sunset Rule
December 3, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to Executive Order (E.O.) 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy."
Streamlining Select Rules of Practice and Procedure
November 26, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is rescinding a discrete number of regulations regarding agency rules of practice and procedure for general hearing management, formal adjudications, and administrative tort claims because they are either inconsistent with statutory requirements or duplicative of statutory requirements and other binding regulations. The NRC is not soliciting public comment on these changes because the changes are limited to agency rules of procedure and practice that do not affect the substantive rights and responsibilities of outside parties.
State of Connecticut: Discontinuance of Certain Commission Regulatory Authority Within the State; No...
September 29, 2025This notice is announcing that on September 25, 2025, David A. Wright, Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission), and Governor Edward Miner Lamont, Jr. of the State of Connecticut, signed an Agreement as authorized by Section 274b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act). Under the Agreement, the Commission discontinues its regulatory authority, and the State of Connecticut assumes regulatory authority over 11e.(1), 11e.(3), and 11e.(4) byproduct materials, source materials, and special nuclear materials in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass.
Approval of American Society of Mechanical Engineers Unconditioned Code Cases
September 26, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approves unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This action allows nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components. These standards are set forth in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ASME Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, which are currently incorporated by reference into the NRC's regulations.
Regulatory Guide: Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors
September 25, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing Revision 7 to Regulatory Guide (RG) RG-1.101, "Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors." This revision updates the list of NRC-developed and NRC-endorsed guidance documents acceptable to meet the regulatory requirements for emergency response planning and preparedness. This revision also provides generic guidance for maintaining regulatory compliance for alert and notification systems (ANS) when making significant design changes, as well as provides guidance on a method to justify a 24-month frequency for emergency plan reviews.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System...
September 8, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of October 14, 2025, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2025. The direct final rule amended the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042.
Revising the Duration of Design Certifications
August 26, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of September 15, 2025, for the direct final rule published in the Federal Register on July 2, 2025. This direct final rule amended the NRC's regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). This action replaced the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs. This direct final rule did not change the date of issuance for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced remains unchanged). This direct final rule also incorporated a minor editorial correction.
Interim Enforcement Policy for Enforcement Discretion for General Licensee Adoption of Certificate o...
August 15, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an Interim Enforcement Policy (IEP) titled, "Enforcement Discretion for General Licensee Adoption of CoC Holder-Generated Changes." This IEP allows enforcement discretion for certain general licensee violations related to their adoption of a change generated by the Certificate of Compliance holder.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage Syste...
July 29, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042. Amendment No. 4 changes the certificate of compliance to incorporate a method to determine new loading patterns, introduce a steel plate composite option, introduce the use of MAVRIC software for a confirmatory run of the HSM-MX dose rates, make technical specification changes for consistency and terminology clarification, make various updated final safety analysis report editorial corrections for consistency and clarification, add measured exposures from past loading campaigns, allow use of a blended Portland cement, change the use of the MX-Loading Crane, and clarify the scenarios under which the maximum heat loads can be reduced.
Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2025
July 28, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2025, regarding the amendment of licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to NRC's applicants and licensees. This action is necessary to correct a typo to the dollar amount in the schedule of materials annual fees and fees for Government agencies licensed by the NRC.
Administrative False Claims Act of 2023
July 17, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (PFCRA) regulations to ensure compliance with the Administrative False Claims Act of 2023 (AFCA). The AFCA requires agencies to review and update existing regulations to ensure compliance with the AFCA amendments. This final rule includes changes to the NRC's PFCRA regulations required to meet the AFCA amendments and includes edits to correct typographical errors.
Revising the Duration of Design Certifications
July 2, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). Specifically, this direct final rule replaces the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs, including renewals. This direct final rule does not change the date of issuance or renewal for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced remains unchanged). This direct final rule also incorporates a minor editorial correction.
Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2025
June 24, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. These amendments are necessary to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which requires the NRC to recover, to the maximum extent practicable, approximately 100 percent of its annual budget, less certain amounts excluded from this fee recovery requirement. In addition, the NRC is making amendments to implement a reduced hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants for certain activities as required by the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024.
Licensing Requirements for the Independent Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level Radioactive Was...
May 20, 2025Long-Term Cooling and Unattended Water Makeup of Spent Fuel Pools
May 7, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is discontinuing a rulemaking activity, "Long-Term and Unattended Water Makeup of Spent Fuel Pools," and denying a petition for rulemaking. The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations to require that nuclear power plant licensees ensure long-term cooling and unattended water makeup of spent fuel pools (SFPs). The purpose of this action is to inform members of the public that this rulemaking activity is being discontinued and to provide a brief discussion of the NRC's decision to discontinue the rulemaking and deny the aspects of the petition not previously addressed by the NRC.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certi...
May 2, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of June 3, 2025, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2025. This direct final rule amended the NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 15 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031.
Policy Statement on the Treatment of Environmental Justice Matters in NRC Regulatory and Licensing A...
April 30, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is withdrawing its Policy Statement on the Treatment of Environmental Justice Matters in NRC Regulatory and Licensing Actions (Environmental Justice Policy Statement) and its Environmental Justice Strategy. The NRC is withdrawing these documents to reflect a recent executive order on Environmental Justice.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: HI-STORM 100, Certificate of Compliance No. 1014, Renewed...
April 30, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of May 27, 2025, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2025. This direct final rule amended the Holtec International HI-STORM 100 Cask System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Renewed Amendment No. 19 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1014. Renewed Amendment No. 19 revises the certificate of compliance to update the acceptance criteria and method of evaluation (MOE) for the HI-STORM 100 system tipover accident for equipment combinations involving multi- purpose canisters with Metamic-HT baskets. This involves applying a new stress-based criteria and completing new evaluations consistent with the new tipover acceptance criteria and MOE and involves some adjustments of the existing deflection criteria.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System, Certificate ...
April 14, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of May 13, 2025, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on February 27, 2025. This direct final rule amended the NAC International, Inc. Multi-Purpose Canister System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 9 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1025.
Regulatory Guide: Standard Format and Content of Decommissioning Plans for Materials Licensees
April 9, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is withdrawing Regulatory Guide (RG) 3.65, "Standard Format and Content of Decommissioning Plans for Materials Licensees." This RG is being withdrawn because it is not needed to endorse NUREG-1757, "Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance: Decommissioning Process for Materials Licensees," Volume 1, "Decommissioning Process for Materials Licensees." NUREG-1757 provides the most current guidance on decommissioning nuclear facilities to support license termination for applicants, licensees, and NRC staff reviewers.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certi...
March 31, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2025, revising the NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 15 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031. This action is necessary to replace an incorrect phrase in the SUMMARY caption of the document.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certi...
March 20, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 15 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031. Amendment No. 15 revises the certificate of compliance to add a new variation of the Lightweight MAGNASTOR[supreg] Transfer Cask design, add a new concrete cask design, increase the maximum system head load capacity, add new loading patterns, add a thermal shunt for short loading patterns, remove the 5 percent burnup penalty, increase Passive MAGNASTOR[supreg] Transfer Cask heat load, add two new pressurized-water reactor fuel types to support future operations, modify the transportable storage canister lid to allow additional clearance near the top center of the basket, and correct and clarify principal design criteria, operating procedures, and the acceptance criteria and maintenance program. This amendment also makes corresponding revisions to previously approved drawings for the concrete cask, Technical Specifications Appendix A and Appendix B, specific chapters of the final safety analysis report, and several license drawings.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage Syste...
March 19, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of April 21, 2025, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on February 4, 2025. This direct final rule amended the NRC's spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 0 through 2 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1040. Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 0 through 2 updates the CoC appendix A technical specifications for radiation protection and the associated bases information to clearly articulate the basis for the dose rate limits for the closure lids, modify the dose rate limit values and the description of the location of the dose rate measurements, and make other editorial changes.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: HI-STORM 100, Certificate of Compliance No. 1014, Renewed...
March 13, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI- STORM 100 Cask System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Renewed Amendment No. 19 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1014. Renewed Amendment No. 19 revises the certificate of compliance to update the acceptance criteria and method of evaluation (MOE) for the HI-STORM 100 system tipover accident for equipment combinations involving multi-purpose canisters (MPCs) with Metamic-HT baskets. This involves applying a new stress-based criteria and completing new evaluations consistent with the new tipover acceptance criteria and MOE and involves some adjustments of the existing deflection criteria.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System, Certificate ...
February 27, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 9 and revise Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1025. The addition of Amendment No. 9 and the revisions to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 amend the description of the vertical concrete cask (VCC) in the CoC and technical specifications to make a distinction between the VCC body and the VCC lid, in terms of applicability of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Specifications ACI 349 and ACI 318.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certif...
February 18, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of March 19, 2025, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2025. This direct final rule amended the NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 14 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 13 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031.
Regulatory Guide: Acceptable ASME Section XI Inservice Inspection Code Cases
February 14, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a new Regulatory Guide (RG) 3.78 (Revision 0), "Acceptable ASME Section XI Inservice Inspection Code Cases." This new RG provides applicants and licensees with methods that the NRC staff considers acceptable for specific or general independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) licensees and certificate of compliance (CoC) holders to comply with NRC regulations for inservice inspection of confinement boundary components and aging management activities associated with the renewals of ISFSIs, general licensees, and CoC holders for spent fuel storage systems.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage Syste...
February 4, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI- STORM UMAX Canister Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 0 through 2 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1040. Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 0 through 2 updates the CoC appendix A technical specifications for radiation protection and the associated bases information to clearly articulate the basis for the dose rate limits for the closure lids, modify the dose rate limit values and the description of the location of the dose rate measurements, and make other editorial changes.
Regulatory Guides: Criteria for Power Systems for Nuclear Power Plants and Criteria for the Protecti...
January 31, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing Revision 4 to Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.32, "Criteria for Power Systems for Nuclear Power Plants," and new RG 1.238, "Criteria for the Protection of Class 1E Power Systems and Equipment for Nuclear Power Plants." RG 1.32, Revision 4, describes an acceptable approach for use in complying with NRC regulations for the design, operation, and testing of electric power systems in nuclear power plants. RG 1.238 describes an acceptable approach for use in complying with NRC regulations for protection of Class 1E power systems and equipment at nuclear power plants. The NRC is also withdrawing RG 1.41, "Preoperational Testing of Redundant On-Site Electric Power Systems to Verify Proper Load Group Assignments," since its guidance is incorporated into RG 1.32, Revision 4.
Adjustment of Civil Penalties for Inflation for Fiscal Year 2025
January 15, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to adjust the maximum civil monetary penalties it can assess under statutes enforced by the agency. These changes are mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The NRC is amending its regulations to adjust the maximum civil monetary penalty for a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or any regulation or order issued under the Atomic Energy Act from $362,814 to $372,240 per violation, per day. Additionally, the NRC is amending provisions concerning program fraud civil penalties by adjusting the maximum civil monetary penalty under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act from $13,946 to $14,308 for each false claim or statement.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certif...
January 3, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 14 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 13 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031. Amendment No. 14 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 13 revise the certificate of compliance to add a revised method of evaluation for the non-mechanistic tipover accident, clarify in the technical specifications that damaged missing grid spacers only apply to pressurized-water reactor fuel assembles, clarify inlet and outlet vent blockage and surveillance requirements in limiting condition for operation 3.1.2 in Appendix A to the certificate of compliance and associated technical specification bases, and remove the reference to Type II Portland cement in the description of the certificate of compliance. The NRC is also correcting typographical errors in Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 11 to 13 and Amendment No. 14 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031.
Proposed Rules (44)
Integrated Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal
July 1, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations that govern the land disposal of low-level radioactive waste to expand regulatory coverage to include certain transuranic wastes. The rule also introduces a new risk-informed framework for low-level waste disposal in which sites can develop waste acceptance criteria based on site-specific characteristics rather than using prescriptive limits. The proposed rule would allow for a graded approach: facilities that do not plan to accept significant quantities of long-lived radionuclides or Greater-Than-Class C waste will only need to meet a streamlined set of requirements, while those managing these waste streams must conduct technical assessments to ensure long- term safety. The proposed rule would also introduce new options for disposal of higher concentrations of waste, providing new alternatives for safe low-level waste management. These innovations support public health and environmental protection, as well as safe disposal of low- level radioactive waste, encourage operational efficiency, and offer greater flexibility for both current and future disposal facilities. In addition, the NRC is issuing draft implementing guidance for public comment.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certi...
July 1, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc. (NAC) MAGNASTOR[supreg] System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment Nos. 16 and 17 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 16 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1031. Amendment No. 16 revises the CoC to permit alternate methods for determining the free volume inside a loaded canister and for measuring helium to ensure that Technical Specification limits are met. It also clarifies that mixed loadings of different assembly types or subtypes within a single Transportable Storage Cask are acceptable. Amendment No. 17 and revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 16 revise the CoC to incorporate changes to the design basis for the MAGNASTOR[supreg] storage system to correct an error with M5 fuel cladding material yield strength that was introduced in CoC No. 1031, Amendment No. 14 and the associated revisions to Amendment Nos. 0 through 13.
Modernizing Security Requirements
June 26, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to revise its regulations to modernize security and fitness-for-duty requirements to enhance efficiency, consistent with Executive Order 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission." The proposed revisions are intended to reduce regulatory burden, where appropriate, while continuing to provide reasonable assurance that safety and security will be adequately maintained at NRC-licensed facilities.
Sunset Provisions
June 26, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) invites public input to inform its implementation of Executive Order (E.O.) 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy." The E.O. directs the NRC to offer the public opportunity to comment on the costs and benefits of certain regulations that the NRC has identified to be sunset.
Modernizing Materials Licensing
June 24, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations for byproduct, source, and special nuclear material to modernize the NRC's materials licensing requirements. This proposed action is responsive to several executive orders and the NRC's mission to enable safe, efficient, and reliable licensing. These changes are deregulatory in nature and include streamlining the process for existing and certain new applicants to enable bringing power to the grid. Unnecessary regulations are being eliminated, and reporting and recordkeeping requirements are being changed. The NRC is proposing several other changes to clarify regulations that are confusing or ambiguous to make the overall licensing process more efficient. Finally, regulations governing the storage of radioactive material are being amended to accommodate new and advanced nuclear fuels.
Modernizing NRC Regulations for Byproduct Material Use
May 21, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a document that was published in the Federal Register on May 18,2026, regarding the proposed amendment to its regulations for the licensing of byproduct material, some source material, and some special nuclear material. This action is necessary to include the Accession Number to Form 1003 in the Availability of Documents section of the proposed rule.
Modernizing NRC Regulations for Byproduct Material Use
May 18, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations for the licensing of byproduct material, some source material, and some special nuclear material. The NRC's goal in amending these regulations is to modernize the safe, effective, and efficient use of licensed material. This action would reduce the burden of the NRC's licensing process, eliminate the need for certain exemptions from existing regulations, and eliminate unnecessary requirements. The NRC is seeking public comment on this proposed rule and draft interim guidance.
Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors With Comparable Risk Profiles
May 15, 2026Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors With Comparable Risk Profiles
May 1, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to establish a risk-informed and performance- based regulatory framework for rapid licensing of new microreactors and other reactors with comparable risk profiles and for high-volume deployment of these reactors. The proposed rule would provide a flexible set of licensing pathways, reduce regulatory burden, and ensure that safety and security requirements remain commensurate with the potential hazards posed by these facilities.
Exceptions From Foreign Ownership, Control or Domination
April 23, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations on foreign ownership, control, or domination (FOCD) of utilization facilities to comply with section 301 of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024. The statute has designated certain exceptions from the FOCD provision set forth in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The proposed rule would affect applicants and licensees of utilization facilities that are owned, controlled, or dominated by a foreign entity.
Modernizing Requirements Relating to Physical Protection of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of ...
April 9, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is conducting a review and wholesale revision of its regulations. As part of this initiative, the NRC is proposing to revise its regulations relating to physical protection and security of category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material.
NRC Reviews of Reactor Designs Previously Authorized by U.S. Department of Energy or Department of W...
April 2, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to revise its regulations to facilitate direct leveraging of prior U.S. Department of Energy or Department of War authorizations of demonstration reactors into the NRC's licensing reviews of commercial reactor facility applications that reference those designs. This rulemaking would improve NRC licensing review efficiency, where applicable, by explicitly establishing by regulation an additional means for reactor applicants to demonstrate the safety functions of their reactor designs, and thus, would contribute to the safe and secure use and deployment of civilian nuclear energy technologies.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage Syste...
April 2, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 5 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1040. Amendment No. 5 revises the certificate of compliance to include two new versions of the HI-STORM UMAX design (Version B1 and B2).
Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026
March 12, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. The proposed amendments are necessary to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which requires the NRC to recover, to the maximum extent practicable, approximately 100 percent of its annual budget less certain amounts excluded from this fee recovery requirement. In addition, the NRC is proposing amendments to establish fixed caps on service fees to implement section 5(a) of Executive Order 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission." The proposed fixed fee caps implementing Executive Order 14300 would drive increased efficiency and accountability in the NRC's licensing activities and other activities requested by applicants and licensees.
Streamlining Contested Adjudications in Licensing Proceedings
March 11, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to hold a virtual-only public meeting to discuss the proposed revisions to the agency's rules of practice and procedure to streamline contested adjudications in NRC licensing proceedings.
Streamlining Contested Adjudications in Licensing Proceedings
March 3, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, agency, or Commission) is proposing to revise the agency's rules of practice and procedure to streamline contested adjudications in NRC licensing proceedings in response to the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024 (ADVANCE Act) and Executive Order 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Approval of the 2023 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Ves...
February 27, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference the 2023 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. This action is in accordance with the NRC's policy to periodically update the regulations to incorporate by reference new editions of the ASME Codes and is intended to maintain the safety of nuclear power plants and to make NRC activities more effective and efficient. The NRC also is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference proposed revisions of three regulatory guides, which would approve new, revised, and reaffirmed code cases published by the ASME. This proposed action would allow nuclear power plant licensees and applicants to use the code cases listed in these draft regulatory guides as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for the construction, inservice inspection, and inservice testing of nuclear power plant components. This proposed rule also incorporates minor editorial corrections. The NRC is requesting comments on this proposed rule, on the draft versions of three regulatory guides, and the draft version of an additional regulatory guide which will not be incorporated by reference.
Regulatory Framework for Fusion Machines
February 26, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to augment the existing byproduct material framework to be inclusive of fusion machines. The NRC is proposing requirements that are technology-inclusive to accommodate the wide variety of anticipated fusion machine designs across the National Materials Program. The NRC is also issuing for comment draft guidance for the implementation of this proposed rule, entitled NUREG-1556, Volume 22, "Consolidated Guidance About Materials Licenses: Program- Specific Guidance About Fusion Machine Licenses." The NRC will conduct at least one public meeting to promote full understanding of the proposed rule and to facilitate public comments. We seek comment on all aspects of this proposed rule.
Rulemaking Activities Being Discontinued by the NRC
February 25, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is discontinuing three rulemaking activities. The purpose of this action is to inform members of the public that these rulemaking activities are being discontinued and to provide a brief discussion of the NRC's decision to discontinue them. These rulemaking activities will no longer be reported in the NRC's portion of the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (the Unified Agenda).
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage Syste...
January 28, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] Extended Optimized Storage (EOS) Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 5 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1042. Amendment No. 5 would revise the CoC to add a new heat load zone configuration for the EOS-37PTH canister, increasing the maximum heat load to 54 kW per dry shielded canister for storage in the EOS- Horizontal Storage Module and transfer using EOS-Transfer Casks TC125/ 135; clarify acceptance criteria for minor surface imperfections on high strength low-alloy basket plates in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR); and make editorial updates to the UFSAR and Technical Specification revisions to align with Amendment No. 4, improve readability, and correct code references.
Incorporation by Reference of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 603-2018
January 27, 2026The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the recently published proposed rule that proposes amending its regulations to incorporate by reference the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard (Std) 603- 2018, "IEEE Standard Criteria for Safety Systems for Nuclear Power Generating Stations," and the accompanying Draft Regulatory Guide (DG) DG-1251, Revision 1, "Guidance for the Power, Instrumentation, and Control Portions of Safety Systems for Nuclear Power Plants."
Incorporation by Reference of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 603-2018
December 19, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard (Std) 603-2018, "IEEE Standard Criteria for Safety Systems for Nuclear Power Generating Stations." The IEEE Std 603-2018 is the most recent version of IEEE Std 603 that addresses the power, instrumentation, and control safety systems for nuclear power reactors. This amendment also incorporates editorial changes that do not change the technical information. The NRC plans to hold a public meeting to promote full understanding of the proposed rule and facilitate public comments.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., NAC-UMS® Universal Storage Syste...
December 8, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc., NAC-UMS[supreg] Universal Storage System (NAC-UMS[supreg]) design listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Renewed Amendment No. 10, and to revise Renewed Amendment Nos. 5 through 9 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1015. The addition of Renewed Amendment No. 10 and Revision 1 to Renewed Amendment Nos. 5 through 9 of the certificate of compliance would correct licensing basis deficiencies and update the address in the CoC to reflect the new address of the applicant's headquarters offices.
The Sunset Rule
December 3, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to Executive Order (E.O.) 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy."
Approval of American Society of Mechanical Engineers Unconditioned Code Cases
September 26, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approves unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This action would allow nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components. These standards are set forth in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ASME Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, which are currently incorporated by reference into the NRC's regulations. The NRC is requesting comments on this proposed rule.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage Syste...
July 29, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042. Amendment No. 4 would change the certificate of compliance to incorporate a method to determine new loading patterns, introduce a steel plate composite option, introduce the use of MAVRIC software for a confirmatory run of the HSM-MX dose rates, make technical specification changes for consistency and terminology clarification, make various updated final safety analysis report editorial corrections for consistency and clarification, add measured exposures from past loading campaigns, allow use of a blended Portland cement, change the use of the MX- Loading Crane, and clarify the scenarios under which the maximum heat loads can be reduced.
Licensing Safety Analysis for Loss-of-Coolant Accidents
July 28, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is denying a petition for rulemaking (PRM), dated August 1, 2022, submitted by Ralph O. Meyer. The petition requested that the NRC amend its regulations regarding the licensing safety analysis for loss-of-coolant accidents. The petition was docketed on August 1, 2022, and was assigned Docket No. PRM-50-124. The NRC is denying the petition because the NRC is addressing emergency core cooling system performance with a risk- informed and performance-based regulatory approach rather than a deterministic approach as suggested by the petitioner.
Voluntary Adoption of Revised Design Basis Accident Dose Criteria
July 28, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is denying a petition for rulemaking, dated November 23, 2019, submitted by John G. Parillo. The petition requested that the NRC develop a rule that would allow nuclear power plant licensees to voluntarily adopt a revised accident dose acceptance criteria for the control room, exclusion area boundary, and the low population zone outer boundary. The petition further requested revisions to clarify footnotes discussing these dose acceptance criteria in the applicable regulations. The NRC docketed the petition on February 19, 2020, and assigned it Docket No. PRM-50-121. The NRC is denying the petition because the information presented does not support rulemaking and the proposed changes are not necessary to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of public health and safety.
Alternative Method for Calculating Embrittlement for Steel Reactor Vessels
July 23, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is denying a petition for rulemaking, dated August 19, 2019, submitted by Thomas A. Bergman on behalf of NuScale Power, LLC. The petition was docketed by the NRC on September 11, 2019, and was assigned Docket No. PRM-50-120. The petitioner requested that the NRC revise its regulations to add an alternative formula for calculating the mean value of the transition temperature shift described in American Society for Testing and Materials Standard E900-15 to the NRC's regulations and guidance documents. The NRC is denying the petition because the petitioner did not demonstrate the immediacy of any safety issues in the concerns raised in the petition and did not provide any new information that would warrant revision of the NRC's regulations.
Public Protective Actions During a General Emergency
July 21, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will consider in its rulemaking process issues raised in a petition for rulemaking (PRM), PRM-50-123, submitted by Thomas McKenna. The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations to ensure protective actions in the event of a general emergency will likely do more good than harm.
Revising the Duration of Design Certifications
July 2, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). Specifically, this proposed rule would replace the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs, including renewals. This proposed rule would not change the date of issuance or renewal for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced would remain unchanged). The proposed rule would also incorporate a minor editorial correction.
Revised Industry Codes and Standards for Production and Utilization Facilities
June 6, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a petition for rulemaking (PRM) from Thomas Basso on behalf of the Nuclear Energy Institute, dated January 22, 2025, requesting that the NRC revise its regulations to remove specific conditions, clarify a specific requirement, and incorporate requested code cases to the next revisions of regulatory guides 1.84 and 1.147, which will be incorporated by reference into the agency's rulemaking on industry standards. The petition was docketed by the NRC on March 6, 2025, and has been assigned Docket No. PRM-50-127. The NRC is examining the issues raised in PRM-50-127 to determine whether they should be considered in rulemaking. The NRC is requesting public comment on this petition at this time.
Interim Enforcement Policy for Enforcement Discretion for General Licensee Adoption of Certificate o...
April 7, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comments a proposed Interim Enforcement Policy (IEP) titled, "Enforcement Discretion for General Licensee Adoption of CoC Holder- Generated Changes." This proposed IEP would allow enforcement discretion for certain general licensee violations related to their adoption of a change generated by the Certificate of Compliance holder.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certi...
March 31, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2025, revising the NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 15 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031. This action is necessary to replace an incorrect phrase in the Summary caption of the document.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc., MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certi...
March 20, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 15 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031. Amendment No. 15 revises the certificate of compliance to add a new variation of the Lightweight MAGNASTOR[supreg] Transfer Cask design, add a new concrete cask design, increase the maximum system head load capacity, add new loading patterns, add a thermal shunt for short loading patterns, remove the 5 percent burnup penalty, increase Passive MAGNASTOR[supreg] Transfer Cask heat load, add two new pressurized-water reactor fuel types to support future operations, modify the transportable storage canister lid to allow additional clearance near the top center of the basket, and correct and clarify principal design criteria, operating procedures, and the acceptance criteria and maintenance program. This amendment also makes corresponding revisions to previously approved drawings for the concrete cask, Technical Specifications Appendix A and Appendix B, specific chapters of the final safety analysis report, and several license drawings.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: HI-STORM 100, Certificate of Compliance No. 1014, Renewed...
March 13, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM 100 Cask System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Renewed Amendment No. 19 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1014. Renewed Amendment No. 19 revises the certificate of compliance to update the acceptance criteria and method of evaluation (MOE) for the HI-STORM 100 system tipover accident for equipment combinations involving multi-purpose canisters (MPCs) with Metamic-HT baskets. This involves applying a new stress-based criteria and completing new evaluations consistent with the new tipover acceptance criteria and MOE and involves some adjustments of the existing deflection criteria.
Draft Regulatory Guide: Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors
March 10, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comment a draft Regulatory Guide (DG), DG-1423, "Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors." This DG is proposed Revision 7 of Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.101, "Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness for Nuclear Power Reactors." This proposed revision would endorse Revision 1 of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) white paper, "Enabling a Remote Response by Members of an Emergency Response Organization," dated September 2024, and Revision 7 of NEI 99-01, "Development of Emergency Action Levels for Non-Passive Reactors," dated September 2024.
Draft Regulatory Issue Summary: Applicability of Requirements During the Movement of Radioactive Mat...
March 6, 2025Applicability of Requirements During the Movement of Radioactive Material Within a Temporary Jobsite
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System, Certificate ...
February 27, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel regulations by revising the NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 9 and revise Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1025. Amendment No. 9 and the revisions to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 amend the description of the vertical concrete cask (VCC) in the CoC and technical specifications to make a distinction between the VCC body and the VCC lid, in terms of applicability of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Specifications ACI 349 and ACI 318.
Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2025
February 19, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. The proposed amendments are necessary to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which requires the NRC to recover, to the maximum extent practicable, approximately 100 percent of its annual budget less certain amounts excluded from this fee recovery requirement. In addition, the NRC is proposing amendments to implement a reduced hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants for certain activities as required by the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage Syste...
February 4, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM UMAX Canister Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 0 through 2 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1040. Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 0 through 2 updates the CoC appendix A technical specifications for radiation protection and the associated bases information to clearly articulate the basis for the dose rate limits for the closure lids, modify the dose rate limit values and the description of the location of the dose rate measurements, and make other editorial changes.
Draft Regulatory Guide: Acceptability of ASME Code, Section III, Division 5, “High Temperature React...
February 3, 2025On December 13, 2024, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) solicited comments on draft Regulatory Guide (DG) DG-1436, "Acceptability of ASME Code, Section III, Division 5, `High Temperature Reactors.' " The public comment period closed on January 27, 2025. The NRC has decided to reopen the public comment period to allow more time for members of the public to develop and submit their comments.
Law Enforcement Response in Power Reactor Physical Protection Programs
January 31, 2025Law Enforcement Response in Power Reactor Physical Protection Programs
January 17, 2025The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a notice of proposed interpretation of regulatory requirements to clarify that a power reactor applicant or licensee may, when designing or updating its physical protection program, incorporate law enforcement response into its site physical protection program through the implementation of a site-specific Security Bounding Time. This proposed interpretation would provide flexibility to applicants and licensees by allowing them to consider the assistance of law enforcement responders as part of the physical protection program. The NRC is requesting comment on the proposed interpretation and will hold a public meeting during the public comment period to address questions regarding the proposed interpretation and to facilitate public comments.
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