Nuclear energy licensing

(a) Extension of license terms for commercial reactors Section 103 c. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133(c)) is amended— (1) by striking c. Each such license and inserting the following: c. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each such license; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) In the case of a license issued under this section for a utilization facility for the generation of electrical or thermal energy, the period of the license shall not exceed 60 years from the authorization to commence operations, and may be renewed on expiration of that period.. (b) Early site permits Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall finalize a rulemaking amending section 52.26 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide that— (1) an early site permit issued after the date of enactment of this Act does not expire; (2) an early site permit issued before the date of enactment of this Act shall, without further review or approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, remain in effect indefinitely on the request of the permit holder or any other entity that references the early site permit in an application for a construction permit or combined license; and (3) an early site permit, regardless of when the permit is issued, may be revoked only on a finding by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that— (A) significant new information has arisen since the issuance of the early site permit with respect to the radiological, seismic, meteorological, hydrologic, geologic, or demographic characteristics of the site that was not considered during the original permitting proceeding and that renders the site unsuitable for the construction and operation of a nuclear power facility; or (B) revocation is necessary to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety or the common defense and security. (c) Categorical exclusion The construction and operation of a new nuclear reactor at a site for which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has previously issued, or is currently reviewing an application for, a construction permit, operating license, or combined license under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) shall be categorically excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).