Nuclear Weapons Lab Asks Public Opinion on Next Decade Plans
Published Date: 1/10/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration is sharing a draft report about how the Los Alamos National Laboratory will operate for the next 15 years. They want everyone—local communities, Native American tribes, and the public—to check it out and share their thoughts by March 11, 2025. This plan could affect the environment and local life, so they’re holding public meetings and asking for feedback before finalizing it.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Modernized operations include large solar buildout
The Modernized Operations Alternative would add 139 new projects totaling over 3.4 million square feet between 2025 and 2038 and implement 27 projects affecting about 925 acres of the LANL site. Of those 925 acres, up to 795 acres are proposed for installation of up to 159 megawatts of solar photovoltaic arrays, and the alternative includes projects to reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions.
No‑Action includes pit production and chromium cleanup
Under the No‑Action Alternative, NNSA would implement 87 new projects totaling almost 1.5 million square feet between 2024 and 2038, implement 11 projects affecting about 216 acres, perform about 1.6 million square feet of decontamination/demolition, and examples of operational changes include increased plutonium pit production and remediation of a chromium plume in Mortandad Canyon.
Public comment period and hearings
You can review the Draft Site‑Wide Environmental Impact Statement for Los Alamos National Laboratory and submit written or verbal comments through March 11, 2025. Four public hearings are scheduled February 11–13, 2025 (two hearings include a virtual option); comments received or postmarked by March 11, 2025 will be considered when preparing the Final SWEIS.
Expanded operations add projects and land uses
The Expanded Operations Alternative would add 18 additional new projects totaling about 947,000 square feet between 2025 and 2038 and implement 4 additional projects affecting about 46 acres. This alternative also includes changes in operations such as revised wildland fire risk reduction treatments and management of feral cattle.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-12810 — Mattresses From Poland: Rescission of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order
The U.S. Department of Commerce has stopped looking into whether mattress parts from Poland, finished into mattresses in the U.S., are dodging extra import taxes. This change affects mattress makers and importers, and it means no new duties will be added starting June 25, 2026. The investigation ended because the companies who asked for it decided to pull back their request.
2026-12774 — Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 83, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; BASF Mobile Emissions Catalysts LLC; (Mobile Emissions Catalyst Products); Huntsville, Alabama
BASF Mobile Emissions Catalysts LLC in Huntsville, Alabama, wants to start making new mobile emissions catalyst products inside Foreign-Trade Zone 83. This means they can bring in parts and materials without paying some import taxes right away, helping them save money and speed up production. The government is letting folks know about this plan so they can share their thoughts before it kicks off.
2026-12842 — Government Owned Inventions Available for License: Compositions and Methods for Producing Dendritic Cell-based Vaccines With Enhanced Efficacy
The National Cancer Institute has created a new way to make cancer vaccines stronger by using special omega-3 fats to boost immune cells called dendritic cells. This could help scientists and companies develop better cancer treatments that work more effectively. If you’re in biotech or medicine, now’s the time to team up or license this exciting technology and help bring improved vaccines to patients faster.
2026-12832 — Certain New Pneumatic Off-The-Road Tires from India: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some Indian makers of big off-the-road tires got unfair government help in 2024. This means extra duties might be charged on these tires to keep things fair for U.S. businesses. The review covers January to December 2024, and companies can still share their thoughts before final decisions.
2026-12786 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Alternative Pilot Physical Examination and Education Requirements (BasicMed)
The FAA wants to keep collecting info from pilots who use BasicMed, a way to fly small planes without the usual medical exam if they meet certain rules. This helps pilots prove they’re eligible to fly safely. If you’re a pilot or interested, you can comment by July 27, 2026, and this process doesn’t add extra costs but keeps things clear and simple.
2026-12833 — Agency Information Collection Activity: Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits
The VA is updating the application form for survivors’ benefits like DIC, pension, and accrued payments. Veterans and their families who apply for these benefits should know the form is being reviewed to make it easier and clearer. You’ve got until August 24, 2026, to share your thoughts—no cost changes yet, just smoother paperwork!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-00264 — Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Elliott State Research Forest Habitat Conservation Plan in Coos and Douglas Counties; Oregon
The Oregon Department of State Lands wants permission to manage the Elliott State Research Forest in Coos and Douglas Counties while protecting three special species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed their plan and shared the final environmental report. Decisions on permits will happen soon, balancing forest research with nature’s needs, and this could affect local wildlife and land use for years to come.
Next: 2025-00266 — Opportunity for United States Grain Standards Act Designation in the Evansville, Indiana Area and Amendment to Notice of Opportunity for the Fargo, North Dakota Area
The USDA is opening up the chance for new groups to take over official grain inspection jobs in Evansville, Indiana, and Fargo, North Dakota, because current contracts are ending. If you’re interested in providing these important services, you can apply or share your thoughts during specific windows in 2025. This could shake up who handles grain inspections, but no big money changes are expected right now.