Nuclear Licensing

US NRC Correction Makes Draft Staff Assessment for Proposed Indiana Section 274 Agreement Public

In May 2026, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission corrected its Federal Register notice on a proposed Section 274 agreement with Indiana by making the 10 April 2026 draft staff assessment publicly available, enabling full public review of the technical basis for the agreement. This transparency allows Indiana licensees and other stakeholders to scrutinise the NRC staff’s evaluation of the state’s readiness to assume regulation of certain radioactive materials and to submit informed comments by mid-June before any transfer of regulatory authority is approved.

23 May 2026, 09:14federalregister.govUnited States

US NRC Receives Subsequent License Renewal Application for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1

In April 2026, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced it has received Constellation Energy Generation’s subsequent license renewal application for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1, seeking 20 more years of operation beyond the current 2029 license expiry. If approved, the plant could continue operating roughly two decades longer under updated licensing, signaling continued regulatory support for life extension of existing US nuclear baseload capacity and initiating a formal review and hearing process.

22 Apr 2026, 20:56federalregister.govUnited States

UK Regulators Complete GDA Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec SMR-300 Reactor Design

UK regulators have completed the fundamental assessment of the Holtec SMR-300 reactor design, identifying no major environmental or safety obstacles. This progress provides critical regulatory certainty for small modular reactor deployment and signals the transition toward detailed design scrutiny and site-specific permitting.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Environment Agency and ONR Publish GDA Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec SMR-300 Reactor

UK regulators completed the Step 2 fundamental assessment for the Holtec SMR-300 reactor design in March 2026. This milestone reduces regulatory uncertainty and signals a clear path toward the commercial deployment of small modular reactors in England and Wales.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Japan METI Requests Additional Reporting From Chubu Electric on Hamaoka Nuclear Plant Seismic Evaluation

METI has demanded further reporting and root-cause analysis from Chubu Electric following seismic safety evaluation failures at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant. This intensified enforcement signals stricter regulatory oversight of nuclear infrastructure resilience and will likely delay operational restarts while increasing compliance burdens for the energy sector.

2 Apr 2026, 09:32meti.go.jpJapan

China MEE Consults On Intended EIA Approval For Taishan NPP Units 1–2 Spent Fuel Dry Storage Project

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued a notice of intent to approve the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant spent fuel dry storage retrofit in March 2026. This signals a clear regulatory path for critical nuclear waste infrastructure, emphasizing that future project viability depends on integrating comprehensive environmental mitigation and radioactive waste handling into initial facility designs.

2 Apr 2026, 08:50mee.gov.cnChina

US NRC Final Rule Amends Categorical Exclusions From Environmental Review (10 CFR Part 51)

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has expanded categorical exclusions under NEPA, effective April 29, 2026, to streamline environmental reviews for nuclear licensing and administrative actions. This deregulatory shift reduces administrative burdens and transaction costs for operators by exempting routine activities like security upgrades and spent fuel storage changes from lengthy environmental assessments.

1 Apr 2026, 14:19govinfo.govUnited States

China MEE Consults on Proposed EIA Approval for Plasma Experimental Device Upgrade in Hebei

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment is finalizing the environmental impact approval for a major plasma experimental facility upgrade in Hebei Province. This development underscores the rigorous licensing process for experimental nuclear technology and highlights the critical importance of radiation shielding and safety compliance in high-tech infrastructure projects.

1 Apr 2026, 14:15mee.gov.cnChina

Environment Agency Replaces Generic RSR Leadership Principles With Nuclear Sites Guidance

The Environment Agency has finalized the transition to updated leadership and management guidance for nuclear site operators, replacing previous generic radioactive substance principles. Licensees must ensure management systems align with these international-standard-based expectations to maintain permit compliance and demonstrate high safety standards.

31 Mar 2026, 19:14gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Belgium / Netherlands: FANC Public Inquiry on Doel 3 Nuclear Reactor Decommissioning and Waste Management Units

Belgian and Dutch authorities have launched a public inquiry through April 2026 regarding the decommissioning of the Doel 3 nuclear reactor and new waste management facilities. This process defines the radiological safety and infrastructure requirements for the long-term management of nuclear waste during the regional energy transition.

31 Mar 2026, 18:58fanc.fgov.beNetherlandsBelgium

US NRC Issues Draft EIS and Seeks Comment on Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has released a draft environmental impact statement for the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility, opening a public comment period through mid-May 2026. This licensing milestone signals progress toward expanding domestic uranium enrichment capacity and may influence long-term nuclear fuel supply chain security and regional industrial development.

29 Mar 2026, 17:52federalregister.govUnited States

US NRC Finalises Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors

The US NRC has finalized a risk-informed, technology-inclusive regulatory framework for advanced nuclear reactors, effective April 2026. This optional licensing pathway allows developers to tailor safety and security requirements to specific designs, streamlining the deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies.

29 Mar 2026, 06:37govinfo.govUnited States

Netherlands Updates VOBK Guidance and Adopts ANVS Policy Rule for Nuclear Installations

The Netherlands has formally adopted the ANVS Policy Rule VOBK, aligning nuclear installation safety and design standards with international IAEA and WENRA benchmarks. Operators must integrate these updated requirements into new license applications and periodic safety reviews ahead of their planned transition into binding legislation.

28 Mar 2026, 20:26open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Netherlands ANVS Grants Final Nuclear Energy Act Permit to Zeeland Refinery N.V.

The Dutch ANVS has issued a final Nuclear Energy Act permit to Zeeland Refinery, effective May 2026, covering radioactive sources and NORM handling. This modernization of legacy permits aligns industrial operations with current radiation protection standards, requiring updated compliance monitoring and safety protocols for hazardous material handling.

27 Mar 2026, 08:08zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Peru Adopts Law 32560 on Nuclear Electricity Generation and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

Peru has enacted Law No. 32560 to establish a national framework for nuclear power generation and the deployment of Small Modular Reactors. Energy developers should prepare for upcoming environmental impact assessment amendments and site-specific radiological safety standards governing future licensing.

26 Mar 2026, 19:02busquedas.elperuano.pePeru

US NRC Exempts H.B. Robinson Unit 2 From 10 CFR 54.21(b) Update Requirement

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted a site-specific exemption from license renewal amendment filings for the H.B. Robinson nuclear plant, effective March 2026. This move reflects a broader federal push to streamline nuclear permitting and reduce administrative burdens for operators through targeted regulatory reform.

26 Mar 2026, 11:52govinfo.govUnited States

UK Government Calls for Evidence on Nuclear Third Party Liability for Advanced Nuclear Technologies

The UK has launched a review of third-party liability frameworks for small and advanced modular reactors to ensure financial requirements remain proportionate to risk. Adjusting liability limits could significantly lower insurance costs and improve the commercial viability of next-generation nuclear projects and integrated industrial applications.

26 Mar 2026, 11:39gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK Government Confirms Environment Agency GDA Timelines for Holtec and Rolls-Royce SMR Designs

The UK Government has confirmed regulatory assessment timelines for Holtec and Rolls-Royce small modular reactor designs with completions targeted through 2027. This milestone provides the regulatory certainty required for long-term capital investment and supply chain mobilization within the UK nuclear energy sector.

25 Mar 2026, 21:30qna.files.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

US NRC Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement for H.B. Robinson Unit 2 Subsequent License Renewal

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission finalized the environmental impact statement for the 20-year license renewal of the H.B. Robinson nuclear plant in March 2026. This milestone secures the regulatory path for extended power generation, reinforcing the strategic role of existing nuclear assets in long-term energy stability.

24 Mar 2026, 08:52federalregister.govUnited States

US NRC Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement for Subsequent License Renewal of St. Lucie Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2

The US NRC has finalized the environmental impact assessment for a 20-year license extension of the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant, concluding that environmental risks do not preclude continued operation. This milestone removes a significant regulatory barrier to long-term asset life extension, providing greater certainty for regional energy security and nuclear power infrastructure planning.

24 Mar 2026, 08:51federalregister.govUnited States