Nuclear Power

US NRC Receives Subsequent License Renewal Application for Cooper Nuclear Station

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced receipt and public availability of Nebraska Public Power District’s subsequent license renewal application to operate Cooper Nuclear Station for 20 years beyond its current 2034 expiry. This initiates a new licensing review and future hearing process that will determine the plant’s long-term operating timeline and associated safety and environmental oversight for nuclear power generation in the region.

24 May 2026, 21:36federalregister.govUnited States

Finland STUK Opens Consultation On Draft Nuclear Fuel Handling And Facility Preparedness Orders

Finland’s nuclear regulator STUK has opened consultations on two draft binding orders revising technical safety requirements for nuclear fuel handling and storage and emergency preparedness at nuclear facilities, with comments due by 2 July 2026. These measures form part of a wider overhaul of the Nuclear Energy Act framework and will shape future expectations for licensees’ responsibilities, risk-based safety design and associated environmental assessment obligations.

23 May 2026, 09:13lausuntopalvelu.fiFinland

US DOE Accepts FY 2026 Title X Reimbursement Claims for Uranium and Thorium Processing Site Remediation

The US Department of Energy is accepting FY 2026 reimbursement claims under Title X of the Energy Policy Act from eligible uranium and thorium processing site licensees, with US$5.115 million appropriated and a 1 July 2026 submission deadline. Eligible licensees should treat this as a time-bound opportunity to recover past remedial action costs for legacy radioactive byproduct material, ensuring claims are fully documented and filed on time to secure funding before appropriations are exhausted or prorated.

23 May 2026, 08:54federalregister.govUnited States

EU Council Presidency Reviews Parliament Amendments to Ignalina Nuclear Decommissioning Assistance Programme (2028–2034)

The EU Council Presidency has outlined major concerns about European Parliament amendments to the proposed Ignalina Nuclear Decommissioning Assistance Programme for 2028–2034, flagging shifts on funding certainty, security scope, geological disposal financing and governance. The way these negotiations resolve will shape future EU co-financing levels, eligible activities and market access conditions for specialised nuclear decommissioning, security and waste-management services in Lithuania.

23 May 2026, 08:47data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionLithuania

Netherlands Issues 2025 Annual Report of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth on Climate and Energy Policy

The Netherlands has published the 2025 annual report of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, confirming entry into force of the Energiewet, adoption of the Wet collectieve warmte, and multi‑billion euro allocations for grids, CCS, hydrogen and nuclear alongside broader climate and industrial policy measures. This consolidates the national climate and energy framework and signals sustained, large‑scale public support for decarbonisation infrastructure, while raising expectations on utilities and industry to deliver projects on time despite grid constraints, permitting challenges and execution risks.

22 May 2026, 10:25zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

US NRC Issues EA, FONSI and NEPA Exemptions for Long Mott Generating Station Construction Permit

In May 2026, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued an environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and one-time NEPA exemptions for the construction-permit application for the Long Mott Generating Station Xe-100 small modular reactor project in Texas. This clears a critical environmental review hurdle and indicates potential for more streamlined NEPA treatment of some advanced nuclear projects, while leaving the construction permit and later operating licence decisions to follow in separate proceedings.

22 May 2026, 10:21federalregister.govUnited States

UK Updates Russia Sanctions Guidance To Reflect 2026 Regulation Amendments

The UK has updated its Russia sanctions statutory guidance to incorporate broad new trade, energy, nuclear and services restrictions introduced by the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, effective from 20 May 2026. These changes tighten controls on Russian-related uranium, LNG, processed oil products, specified ships and construction services, significantly raising compliance and enforcement risks for companies exposed to Russian-connected supply chains, shipping and advanced technology sectors and requiring rapid review of contracts, counterparties and licensing needs.

21 May 2026, 06:51gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK Adopts Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The UK has brought into force wide-ranging amendments to its Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) regime from 20 May 2026, tightening trade, shipping, energy and construction prohibitions and updating critical goods schedules. Businesses trading in oil products, LNG, uranium, advanced chip and quantum goods, or providing construction and maritime services should urgently reassess Russian exposures, contract portfolios and routing to stay within the new bans and limited grandfathering windows.

21 May 2026, 06:35legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Environment Agency Confirms CPI-Linked Increases to Waste (Miscellaneous) Charging Scheme From April 2027

The Environment Agency has updated its Waste (miscellaneous) charging scheme to state that all listed charges will rise on 1 April 2027 and then increase automatically each 1 April in line with the Consumer Prices Index. This locks in predictable but ongoing fee escalations for waste, WEEE, batteries and related activities in England, so operators should factor higher regulatory charges into long-term budgets and commercial planning.

20 May 2026, 19:56gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Finland Consults on Environmental Assessment Plan for Nuclear Facilities Decree

Finland has opened a June 2026 public consultation on the environmental assessment plan for a new Government Decree on Nuclear Facilities under its reformed Nuclear Energy Act. The decree will tighten radiation, discharge and emergency-preparedness requirements for nuclear installations, so operators and related supply chains should track the process and prepare for stricter safety and licensing conditions.

20 May 2026, 19:23lausuntopalvelu.fiFinland

US NRC Approves Indirect Transfer of El Paso Electric’s Interest in Palo Verde Nuclear Licenses

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved an indirect transfer of El Paso Electric’s non-operating interests in the Palo Verde nuclear plant licences and associated spent fuel storage installation, with the order effective for one year from 05 May 2026. This confirms there are no physical or operational changes at the facility but requires the licensee to secure all regulatory approvals, notify the NRC before closing, and manage transaction timing to avoid the approval lapsing.

20 May 2026, 17:51federalregister.govUnited States

US Senate Introduces S. 4475 To Overhaul NEPA And Clean Water Act Permitting

In April 2026, a US Senate bill (S. 4475, the Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026) was introduced to rewrite key permitting and judicial review provisions in the Clean Water Act, NEPA, the Natural Gas Act, and nuclear licensing law. If enacted, it would significantly shorten environmental review and litigation timelines, constrain state and federal discretion over water-quality and NEPA decisions, and accelerate approvals for pipelines, LNG terminals, and nuclear power projects without adding new pollutant standards or reporting duties.

20 May 2026, 09:59govinfo.govUnited States

Environment Agency Consults On Combustion Permit Variation For Diesel Backup Generators At Hinkley Point C

The Environment Agency has opened a four-week consultation on varying Hinkley Point C’s combustion permit to add and modify diesel backup generators at the Somerset nuclear power station, with responses due by 16 June 2026. This site-specific change tightens regulatory scrutiny of backup power emissions and resilience at a major nuclear installation without altering national combustion-plant standards, signalling continued focus on environmental permitting for standby generation.

20 May 2026, 06:21gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Environment Agency Consults On Hinkley Point C Backup Generator Permit Variation (EPR/ZP3238FH/V004)

The Environment Agency has opened a consultation on a proposed variation to Hinkley Point C's environmental permit to expand backup generator capacity while tightening operating hours, with comments due by 16 June 2026. This development signals continued scrutiny of backup power resilience and emissions at major UK energy projects, and affected operators and suppliers should review the proposal and consider engaging with the consultation.

20 May 2026, 06:20gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US NRC Extends Hermes Test Reactor Construction Deadline to 30 April 2029

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has amended Kairos Power’s Hermes test reactor construction permit to extend the latest completion date from December 2026 to April 2029. The extension provides more time to meet construction and regulatory milestones, affecting schedule, financing, and planning for advanced nuclear deployment at the Oak Ridge site.

20 May 2026, 06:18federalregister.govUnited States

US NRC Issues One-Time Exemption for TVA Browns Ferry ISFSI Vacuum Drying

In May 2026 the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted a one-time exemption allowing TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant to use a vacuum drying system on a specific Holtec spent fuel canister despite exceeding a certificate heat-load limit, enabling completion of loading for independent spent fuel storage. The decision confirms that NRC can flexibly approve narrowly tailored deviations from cask technical specifications where strong analysis shows safety margins and dose limits are maintained, reducing operational risk without triggering broader licensing changes.

20 May 2026, 06:18federalregister.govUnited States

US DOE Announces Closed Meetings to Implement Defense Production Act Voluntary Agreement for Nuclear Fuel Industry

The US Department of Energy has announced a series of closed April 2026 meetings under the Defense Production Act to implement a voluntary agreement and potential plans of action with nuclear fuel industry participants. This confirms that the DPA nuclear fuel supply chain initiative is moving into a practical implementation phase, signalling closer government–industry coordination but no immediate new regulatory obligations beyond the existing framework.

20 May 2026, 06:18federalregister.govUnited States

US NRC Seeks Comment on UniTech Name Change and Indirect Transfer of Export License XW023/01

In May 2026, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission invited public comment and potential hearing requests on UniTech Services Group LLC’s application to amend Export License XW023/01 for a corporate name change and to consent to an indirect transfer of control from UniFirst Corporation to Cintas Corporation. This step determines future corporate responsibility for exports of 10,000 tons of radioactive waste to Canada, so nuclear and waste-management stakeholders should assess any implications for contracting, logistics, and compliance with US nuclear export controls.

19 May 2026, 21:19federalregister.govUnited StatesCanada

US NRC Extends Construction Deadline for Kairos Hermes Test Reactor to April 2029

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has extended the latest date for completing construction of Kairos Power’s Hermes test reactor in Oak Ridge from the end of 2026 to 30 April 2029 via an order issued in May 2026. This gives the project additional schedule flexibility while maintaining NRC oversight and a defined 60-day window for interested stakeholders to request a hearing on the justification for the extension.

19 May 2026, 21:18federalregister.govUnited States

Croatia Begins Espoo EIA For Čerkezovac Radioactive Waste Facility; Bosnia And Herzegovina To Be Notified

Croatia has formally launched an environmental impact assessment under the Espoo Convention for the planned Čerkezovac radioactive waste facility, following a 65th Implementation Committee meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Geneva. This early procedural step signals progressing cross-border scrutiny and consultation on the project, with future implications for permitting timelines, stakeholder engagement and regional environmental risk management.

19 May 2026, 21:15mingo.gov.hrCroatiaBosnia & Herzegovina