W13 – Environmental Reviews: Increasing Efficiency and Transparency to Meet Changes in NEPA

This video recording is from the technical session held at the NRC Regulatory Information Conference in 2024. 90% of the closed captions are accurate. More information on the technical session is provided below.

W13 Environmental Reviews: Increasing Efficiency and Transparency to Meet the Changing Landscape of the National Environmental Policy Act

This session will highlight some of the recent changes in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) landscape and ongoing efforts by the NRC, industry, and the States to meet these evolving needs while increasing efficiency and improving transparency in environmental reviews, with a particular focus on new technologies and nuclear facilities.

NRC Implementation of New NEPA Requirements
The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) imposes changes to the environmental review process for infrastructure projects. The FRA amends key provisions of NEPA with the intent of streamlining environmental reviews. Successful implementation of the new amendments to NEPA will require close coordination with licensees, applicants, Tribes, and our Federal partners. Discussion will include best practices of the NRC’s Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council working group, staff licensee early engagement to ensure high quality and complete applications, early tribal engagement, and how climate change is incorporated into environmental reviews.

Stakeholder Perspective of Streamlining NEPA
Participants will exchange practical experiences and gain actionable insights on how the industry is addressing the new regulatory requirements of NEPA as they relate to the latest advancements at new and proposed commercial nuclear energy facilities.

Siting: Environmental Considerations When Locating Facilities
As applicants explore siting options for nuclear facilities, additional attention will be required to ensure a holistic environmental evaluation. What new environmental considerations have been identified that would impact the efficiency of an environmental review?

Environmental Priorities
What regional policy coordination efforts related to environmental considerations and emerging technologies in the nuclear industry have been implemented? How can a cooperative framework for State efforts and the Federal Government increase efficiency and add transparency for stakeholders.

SESSION CHAIR(S):
Bradley R. Crowell, Commissioner, OCM/NRC
Welcoming Remarks

SPEAKER(S):
Ana Unruh Cohen, Senior Director for NEPA, Infrastructure, and Clean Energy, White House Council on Environmental Quality
Christopher Regan, Director, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, NMSS/NRC
Peter Hastings, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs & Quality, Kairos Power
Melanie Snyder, Nuclear Energy Policy Program Manager, Western Interstate Energy Board

SESSION CORDINATORS(S):
Marla Morales, Environmental Project Manager, Environmental Review Materials Branch, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, NMSS/NRC e-mail: [email protected]

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