NRC Reviews Safe License Changes for Nuclear Power Plants
Published Date: 12/2/2025
Notice
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing requests to change operating licenses for Indian Point and Salem nuclear plants. They say these changes don’t pose big safety risks but include sensitive info, so special rules are set for people who want to see that info and get involved. If you want to comment or join the hearing, act by early 2026—no big costs or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
NRC can approve changes before hearings
If you live near Indian Point (New York) or Salem (New Jersey), the NRC could approve the requested license changes and make them effective before hearings finish if it finds the changes involve "no significant hazards consideration." Public comments are due by January 2, 2026 and hearing requests or petitions to intervene are due by February 2, 2026.
Indian Point: end of NRC preemption authority
The proposed amendment for Indian Point Station (Units 1, 2, and 3; application dated July 23, 2025; ADAMS ML25231A152) would terminate the NRC's preemption authority at the Indian Point Energy Center. The NRC has proposed that this amendment involves no significant hazards consideration.
Salem: revise fuel storage safety specs
The proposed amendment for Salem Nuclear Generating Station (Units 1 and 2; application dated July 21, 2025; ADAMS ML25203A071) would revise the nuclear criticality safety analysis and the technical specifications for fresh and spent fuel storage. The NRC has proposed that this amendment involves no significant hazards consideration.
Rules to get access to SUNSI for hearings
If you want access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI) to prepare a hearing contention for these Indian Point or Salem amendments, you must request access by December 12, 2025 (10 days after publication). The request must include a description of the action, your name and address, your particularized interest, and why public information is insufficient; the NRC staff will decide within 10 days whether you likely can establish standing and have a need, and if access is granted you may be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, Affidavit, or Protective Order and then file any SUNSI-based contentions within 25 days of receiving the information.
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Key Dates
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