"The Department of Energy says advanced nuclear reactor designs - many of which have so far existed mainly at the experimental, testing, or demonstration stage - generally pose limited environmental risk and can qualify for a streamlined environmental review for future projects. The DoE announced the "categorical exclusion" for advanced nuclear reactors (ANRs) in a Federal Register filing on Monday,"
"A categorical exclusion means that a covered category of actions "normally does not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and therefore does not require preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement," the filing says. In this case, that's referring to ANRs, which include Generation III+ reactors, small modular reactors, microreactors, and stationary and mobile reactors. Authorization, siting, construction, operation, reauthorization, and decommissioning of ANRs are all included in the categorical exclusion."
The Department of Energy established a categorical exclusion for advanced nuclear reactors (ANRs), creating a pathway for future ANR projects to proceed without full NEPA environmental assessments or impact statements when specific conditions are met. The exclusion covers authorization, siting, construction, operation, reauthorization and decommissioning of Generation III+ reactors, small modular reactors, microreactors, and stationary and mobile reactors. The DoE justified the exclusion by noting safety features, fuel types, and limited fission product inventories in next-generation designs that generally constrain environmental consequences. The action aligns with executive orders directing agencies to streamline environmental reviews to accelerate nuclear reactor deployment.
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