The NEPA Umbrella is Shrinking: Staying Dry in a Changing Environmental Review Landscape

Recent statutory, judicial, and regulatory developments are narrowing the scope of NEPA review and reshaping environmental permitting for nuclear projects. Yet a streamlined NEPA process does not eliminate obligations under the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Clean Water Act, and other federal and state requirements. Drawing on experience in NRC licensing and rulemaking, environmental compliance and enforcement, advanced-reactor policy, and reactor deployment, panelists will examine the implications for nuclear projects. The discussion will offer practical strategies for coordinating parallel reviews, anticipating permitting and stakeholder risks, and integrating environmental planning early enough to protect project schedules.