This page documents the process that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) undertook to add a categorical exclusion for authorization, siting, construction, operation, reauthorization, and decommissioning of advanced nuclear reactors to DOE's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures. DOE has included the categorical exclusion in appendix B of DOE's NEPA implementing procedures that it maintains outside of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Notice of new categorical exclusion and request for comment
- Notice of new categorical exclusion (91 FR 4550; February 2, 2026)
- Written Record of Support containing additional information substantiating DOE's determination to establish a categorical exclusion for advanced nuclear reactors
- DOE will consider comments on this categorical exclusion received on or before March 4, 2026. To submit comments using the regulations.gov website, click on this link: Docket DOE-HQ-2025-0405.
For additional information on DOE's NEPA implementing procedures, see DOE NEPA Program History.