NRC Reviews Safe License Updates for Nuclear Plants
Published Date: 2/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing requests to update operating licenses for several nuclear power plants, including Braidwood, Byron, Virgil C. Summer, and Salem stations. These updates are considered safe with no big risks and include sensitive info that needs special access rules. If you want to comment or get involved, act by late March or April 2026—no big costs, just your voice and attention!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Deadlines to Comment or Request Hearing
You can submit public comments on these license amendment requests by March 26, 2026, and you must file any request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene by April 27, 2026. Any person whose interest may be affected has 60 days from publication to file a petition to intervene under 10 CFR part 2.
How to Access Sensitive SUNSI Documents
If you need access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI) to prepare a contention, you must request access within 10 days of this notice (by March 6, 2026), explain your standing and need, and the NRC staff will decide within 10 days whether to grant access. If access is granted, you may be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Protective Order, and any contentions based on SUNSI must be filed no later than 25 days after you receive the information.
Salem Station May Produce Cobalt-60
PSEG's proposed amendment for Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 would revise the renewed facility operating licenses to allow receipt, production, transfer, and use of Cobalt-60 (Co-60) intended for industrial and medical purposes, and the NRC has preliminarily determined this amendment involves no significant hazards consideration. The application was filed September 24, 2025 (ADAMS Accession No. ML25268A072).
Commission May Issue Amendments Quickly
The NRC normally waits 60 days after publication before issuing license amendments, but it may issue an amendment earlier if it finds no significant hazards consideration or if delay would cause derating or shutdown. If the final NSHC determination is made, any hearing will occur after issuance.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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