Nuclear Power

Germany: Lower Saxony Approves Interim Storage for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste from Grohnde Decommissioning

In April 2026, Lower Saxony’s environment ministry approved on‑site interim storage of low‑ and intermediate‑level radioactive waste from the decommissioning of the Grohnde nuclear power plant. This removes a key bottleneck for dismantling and waste logistics but locks in long‑term obligations around nuclear safety oversight, storage capacity and eventual transfer to the federal final repository.

10 Apr 2026, 12:47umwelt.niedersachsen.deGermany

Finland Decree 196/2026 Clarifies Nuclear Liability Act Scope for Certain Nuclear Materials

Finland enacted Decree 196/2026, effective April 1, 2026, clarifying the scope of the Nuclear Liability Act for specific nuclear materials. This alignment with international standards streamlines liability management and insurance requirements for operators handling low-risk or small-quantity nuclear substances.

9 Apr 2026, 17:56finlex.fiFinland

Finland Issues Decree 208/2026 Repealing Nuclear Liability Act Certificate Decision

Finland repealed the 1978 decision on nuclear liability certificates effective April 1, 2026, updating the administrative framework for nuclear transport. Operators must ensure continued compliance with Section 40 of the Nuclear Liability Act by verifying current certificate formats and approval procedures with national authorities.

9 Apr 2026, 17:45finlex.fiFinland

Spain: Nuclear Safety Council Rectifies Instruction IS-10 (Rev. 2) on Nuclear Event Notification Criteria

Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) has rectified Instruction IS-10 (Rev. 2), clarifying event notification criteria and mandating new reporting formats for nuclear safety incidents. Nuclear operators must update internal compliance procedures to align with the revised Annex I templates to ensure adherence to mandatory reporting timelines.

9 Apr 2026, 14:48boe.esSpain

China MEE Publishes Notice Accepting EIA for Fujian Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant Units 5 and 6

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment has formally accepted the Environmental Impact Assessment for Fujian Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Units 5 and 6, triggering a public comment period through mid-April 2026. This advancement signals continued momentum in China's nuclear expansion, requiring energy sector stakeholders to monitor final siting approvals and subsequent construction timelines.

9 Apr 2026, 10:32mee.gov.cnChina

Missouri House Schedules Nuclear Clean Power, Paint Recycling And Xylazine Bills For Floor Consideration

Missouri advances legislation establishing a statewide paint recycling program, nuclear energy cost-recovery, and stricter controls on xylazine (April 2026). Companies should prepare for new producer responsibility obligations in the coatings sector and evolving regulatory frameworks for clean energy and controlled substances.

9 Apr 2026, 10:23house.mo.govUnited States

US NRC Renews Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Licenses and Issues Record of Decision

The US NRC has issued renewed operating licenses for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, authorizing continued power generation for Units 1 and 2 through April 2026. This decision secures critical baseload energy capacity and confirms the facility's compliance with updated federal safety and environmental standards, providing long-term operational certainty for the regional energy market.

9 Apr 2026, 09:53federalregister.govUnited States

US NRC Requests Comment on OMB Renewal of Low-Level Radioactive Waste Manifest Forms 541 and 541A

The US NRC is renewing the information collection requirements for low-level radioactive waste manifest forms, with comments due by May 4, 2026. Operators should verify that existing waste tracking and recordkeeping procedures remain aligned with these mandatory reporting standards to avoid compliance gaps during transport.

9 Apr 2026, 09:45govinfo.govUnited States

US NRC Direct Final Rule Adds Amendment 5 to Holtec HI-STORM UMAX Spent Fuel Storage Cask Certificate

The US NRC has approved Amendment 5 for the Holtec HI-STORM UMAX storage system, authorizing new cask designs with enhanced corrosion protection effective June 16, 2026. This update provides nuclear operators with improved technical options to mitigate environmental degradation, ensuring the long-term integrity and safety of spent fuel storage operations.

4 Apr 2026, 11:49federalregister.govUnited States

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Proposes Streamlined Reviews of Reactor Designs Previously Authorized by DOE or Department of War

The US NRC proposed a rule on April 2, 2026, to streamline commercial nuclear reactor licensing by allowing applicants to leverage safety data from previously authorized DOE or Defense Department designs. This shift aims to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies by reducing redundant technical reviews and regulatory hurdles for developers transitioning to commercial operations.

4 Apr 2026, 11:48federalregister.govUnited States

Environment Agency Applies CPI Uplift To Waste (Miscellaneous) Charging Scheme In England

The UK Environment Agency has increased all fees under the Waste (miscellaneous) charging scheme in England by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effective April 1, 2026. Businesses managing WEEE, batteries, or international waste shipments must account for higher administrative costs and ensure correct fee payments to avoid application or notification delays.

4 Apr 2026, 11:01gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Slovenia Committee for the Economy Schedules Review of Draft Nuclear Land-Use Regulation (EVA: 2025-2560-0017)

Slovenia’s Committee for the Economy has advanced a draft regulation updating land-use restrictions and construction requirements around nuclear facilities, including the Krško Nuclear Power Plant. Businesses operating or planning construction in these zones must prepare for stricter incident reporting mandates and updated spatial planning constraints aligned with current building legislation.

3 Apr 2026, 18:31gov.siSlovenia

Netherlands IPLO Updates Omgevingswet Guidance On Permit Granting, Supervision and Enforcement With National Government

The Dutch government has updated procedural guidance for coordinating permit applications between local and national authorities under the Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet). Businesses managing complex industrial or infrastructure projects should prepare for standardized digital collaboration workflows and tighter adherence to the eight-week statutory decision window.

2 Apr 2026, 17:25iplo.nlNetherlands

EU Commission Opens In-Depth State Aid Investigation Into French Support for Six New Nuclear Reactors

The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation into France's €72.8 billion support package for six new nuclear reactors to ensure compliance with EU electricity market design rules. This probe will set a critical precedent for how Member States finance large-scale low-carbon energy projects and could lead to modifications in risk-sharing and revenue-guarantee mechanisms.

2 Apr 2026, 10:15ec.europa.euEuropean UnionFrance

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

UK regulators completed the Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec’s SMR-300 reactor design in March 2026, finding no fundamental environmental or safety shortfalls. This milestone reduces regulatory uncertainty for SMR deployment, signaling a clear path toward detailed design assessment and future 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 of the Holtec SMR-300 reactor design in March 2026. This milestone reduces regulatory risk for prospective operators and signals progress toward the commercial deployment of small modular reactors in England and Wales.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US NRC Grants Exemption on Low-Level Waste Shipment Tracking for Vallecitos Nuclear Center

The US NRC has extended the reporting window for low-level radioactive waste shipments from 20 to 45 days for the Vallecitos Nuclear Center. This site-specific exemption reflects a pragmatic regulatory adjustment to rail transit realities, though broader industry-wide tracking requirements remain unchanged.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33federalregister.govUnited States

US NRC Imposes $36,000 Civil Penalty on Metro Cardiovascular Diagnostics

The US NRC has issued a formal order imposing a $36,000 civil penalty on a Missouri-based medical facility for unresolved radioactive material license violations. This action underscores the agency's commitment to escalating enforcement and pursuing debt collection for non-responsive licensees, highlighting the risk of significant financial and legal consequences for compliance failures.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33govinfo.govUnited States

Japan METI Receives Chubu Electric Response To Electricity Business Act Report Order On Hamaoka Nuclear Works

METI received Chubu Electric's formal response on March 31, 2026, addressing governance failures and procurement irregularities at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. This signals intensified regulatory scrutiny of utility governance and procurement integrity, necessitating robust internal controls and cross-divisional oversight for infrastructure safety projects.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33meti.go.jpJapan

Japan METI Approves Reiwa 7 Nuclear Damage Compensation Contributions and Decommissioning Reserve Amounts

Japan’s METI has finalized the Reiwa 7 nuclear damage compensation contributions and decommissioning reserve amounts for domestic nuclear operators. These approvals establish the specific financial obligations for utilities to fund long-term decommissioning and liability frameworks without altering existing legal requirements.

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