NRC Completes Fastest-Ever Reactor License Renewal, Extending Operations To 2050

No: 26-046 April 23, 2026 CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200 NRC Completes Fastest-Ever Reactor License Renewal, Extending Operations To 2050 “This milestone proves we can deliver results quickly without compromising safety.” ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating license for a second time for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant Unit 2, marking the fastest license renewal review in agency history and the first completed under new federal timelines aimed at accelerating nuclear energy decisions. The 20-year renewal extends the plant’s authorization to operate through July 2050, allowing the South Carolina facility to generate carbon-free electricity for up to 80 years. The plant’s single pressurized water reactor is operated by Duke Energy Progress LLC. “This milestone proves we can deliver results quickly without compromising safety,” Chairman Ho K. Nieh said. “By focusing on essential factors for sustained nuclear power plant safety and applying lessons learned from past renewals, our team was able to work efficiently while maintaining their commitment to enabling timely safety decisions.” The review was completed within the 12-month timeframe established by Executive Order 14300, cutting six months from the NRC’s previous 18-month schedule, while maintaining the agency’s rigorous safety standards. The NRC conducted its review on parallel tracks, issuing a final supplemental environmental impact statement in March 2026 and a safety evaluation in April 2026. These documents, along with additional details about the renewal, are available on the NRC website.   The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency. 26-046.pdf

NRC Announces Opportunity to Request Hearing for Duane Arnold Energy Center Restart License Amendments

 

No: 26-044 April 23, 2026 CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200 NRC Expands Wyoming’s Authority Over Key Nuclear Materials as Rare Earth Development Grows ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved an amendment to its agreement with Wyoming, allowing the state to take on expanded regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials tied to mineral processing, an area gaining importance as domestic rare earth development accelerates. Effective April 30, 2026, the amendment enables Wyoming to regulate source material recovered during the processing of minerals such as rare earth elements, where uranium or thorium is not the primary product. This change reflects growing national interest in strengthening U.S. supply chains for critical minerals used in energy, defense, and advanced technologies. “Our amended agreement reaffirms NRC’s commitment to enabling the safe and secure use of nuclear materials through strong partnerships with our state counterparts,” NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh said. “Effective collaboration between federal and state regulators is fundamental to protecting public health and safety while fostering responsible innovation.” Wyoming has regulated uranium recovery facilities and certain byproduct materials under an NRC agreement since 2018. This amendment expands that authority to include additional source material generated as a byproduct of other mineral processing activities, positioning the state to play a larger role in overseeing emerging sectors such as rare earth production. Following a comprehensive review, the NRC determined Wyoming’s program is adequate to protect public health and safety and compatible with agency requirements. With this approval, the NRC will transfer regulatory authority for this category of materials to the state, including oversight of licensing, inspection, and enforcement. One existing NRC license will be transferred to Wyoming as part of the agreement. A notice of the amendment was published in the Federal Register. Supporting documents and additional information about the NRC’s Agreement State program are available on the NRC website.   The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency. 26-044.pdf

 

[decomm_wkg] Department of Energy Seeks to Partner with Private Sector for Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling

 

Department of Energy Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center 550 Main Street, Room 7-010, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 Media Contacts: Toni Rutherford, Office of Envrionmental Management            April 22, 2026                              Katie Steiger-Meister, Office of Nuclear Energy  Media Mailboxes: IdahoUNF@emcbc.doe.gov, necommunications@nuclear.energy.gov   Department of Energy Seeks to Partner with Private Sector for Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) and Office of Environmental Management (EM) have issued two Requests for Application (RFA) to advance the nation’s capabilities in recycling used nuclear fuel. The RFAs support President Trump’s executive orders to advance efforts to strengthen the nation’s nuclear industrial base and American energy independence. NE’s RFA seeks proposals from industry on detailed plans to leverage the DOE authorization process to design, construct, and operate nuclear fuel recycling, processing, and fuel fabrication to support the deployment of advanced reactors and accelerate American innovation in nuclear material recycling technologies. EM’s RFA seeks visionary proposals from private industry for a commercial-scale demonstration of recycling defense-related used nuclear fuel at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) at the Idaho Site. Both RFAs underscore the administration's belief that American innovation, particularly within the private sector, is key to restoring our nation's nuclear leadership. “Used nuclear fuel represents an immense, untapped energy resource for the United States,” said NE Assistant Secretary Ted Garrish. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is partnering with the private sector in advancing a circular nuclear economy by transforming used fuel from waste into a valuable resource. These efforts are designed to deliver reliable power, reduce waste volumes, and re-energize the commercial nuclear sector to secure American energy dominance.” "This initiative is a testament to President Trump's bold vision for American energy independence and our commitment to an unmatched national security posture," said EM Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh. "By unleashing the power of private industry, we will fast-track the development of advanced fuel cycle capabilities essential for the responsible management of our defense used nuclear fuel. This is a critical step in strengthening our domestic nuclear infrastructure and cementing America's place as the global leader in nuclear technology." The RFAs represent an unprecedented opportunity for private sector ingenuity to lead the charge in America's nuclear renaissance. Through EM’s RFA, a selected offeror will secure a long-term lease for prime DOE property at INTEC. They will be entrusted with the full lifecycle of a cutting-edge, dedicated recycling facility — encompassing its financing, design, permitting, fabrication, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning. Similarly, NE’s RFA will provide an authorization pathway for industry to design, construct, and operate nuclear fuel recycling, reprocessing, and fuel fabrication facilities in the United States. Both RFAs will leverage private capital and expertise to accelerate critical infrastructure development. Offerors are strongly encouraged to submit proposals showcasing a profound understanding of advanced nuclear fuel recycling, coupled with comprehensive and robust business, security, regulatory compliance, and proposed waste management plans. The selected offerors will be fully responsible for all project costs, demonstrating a true partnership between government and industry. While collaboration is welcomed, stringent national security protocols will govern the participation of any non-U.S. entities due to the export controlled nature of these recycling technologies, ensuring that all personnel involved can obtain the necessary security clearances and protect American interests. DOE’s used nuclear fuel recycling programs will be a cornerstone of President Trump's nuclear renaissance, driving unparalleled innovation in the nuclear sector, fostering significant economic growth, and profoundly contributing to the nation's energy security and national defense objectives. EM will sponsor an Industry Day event to explain and answer questions about their RFA’s solicitation process. Potential attendees should e-mail Aaron S. Nebeker, nebekeas@id.doe.gov, for more information on attending. For more information on NE’s Initiative to Bolster Used Nuclear Fuel RFA, please visit the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Recycling Program webpage.                                                                           -DOE- STAY CONNECTED WITH EM:

 

TMI’s owner proposes workaround to 2027 restart barrier

https://www.pennlive.com/business/2026/04/tmis-owner-proposes-workaround-to-27-restart-barrier-federal-approval-needed.html

Holtec gets a seat at the table in Trenton as New Jersey bets on nuclear power • The Jersey Vindicator

https://jerseyvindicator.org/2026/04/13/holtec-gets-a-seat-at-the-table-in-trenton-as-new-jersey-bets-on-nuclear-power/

Audit of DOE Nuclear Energy contract for NuScale shows mismanagement

This new Dept of Energy Inspector General's  report is useful for showing how DOE Nuclear Energy mismanaged the NuScale project, as well as other projects.  Our taxpayer money wasted again!

Audit of DOE Nuclear Energy contract for NuScale shows mismanagement.

https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/DOE-OIG-26-25.pdf

Donna Gilmore

ISFSI liability protection gap

Hello:

The Price-Anderson Act provides compensation for offsite damages from a nuclear plant release of radioactivity. Kinda. Sorta.

When a nuclear plant is operating, up to nearly $16 billion is available for harm caused by radioactivity released from a reactor core, its spent fuel pool, or an onsite ISFSI.

This liability protection consists of private insurance (currently at $500 million) purchased by the plant owner supplemented, if necessary, by funds collected from the owners of other operating nuclear plants. 

When a nuclear plant permanently shuts down, the NRC approves exemptions from the Price-Anderson insurance coverages. In November 2023, the NRC approved an exemption for Indian Point reducing its private insurance level to $100 million and dropping the site from the supplemental pool.

The NRC's "logic" for the exemptions is that the risk of an accident at an ISFSI is very, very, very low. Perhaps. But is the risk of a terrorist act at an ISFSI of a permanently shut down plant equally low? The NRC's "analysis" did not consider terrorist acts. And the force-on-force tests of security at operating plants is terminated once a plant permanently shuts down.

To be fair, nuclear security is quite good. No nuclear plant or dry cask has ever been stolen (as far as we know). 

But a terrorist act at the Indian Point ISFSI were to cause more than $100 million in offsite damages, who would provide the compensation?  Who? And how?

Perhaps the Stafford Act would fill in for the AWOL Price-Anderson Act. All it would take is an act by the federal government (you know, the folks who have been shut down the past few weeks because of their inability to reach agreement on a budget) to invoke the act. 

The NRC's assumption that a terrorist attack on an ISFSI at a permanently shut down nuclear plant should be backed, at least, by their conducting force-on-force tests of the untested security they are relying so much on to protect Americans. 

In the force-on-force tests conducted at operating reactors, the mock bad guys "win" a small percentage of the time (about 4 to 5 percent.) That's good. It shows the tests don't ask simply questions like "Who's buried in Grant's Tomb" and accept "Dead people" as a correct answer. The losses allow security weaknesses to be remedied before real bad guys can exploit them. Force-on-force tests are essential in determining that security is sufficient and identifying gaps needing to be closed. 

Thanks,

Dave Lochbaum

20251107-ip-lochbaum-liability-protection-gap.pdf