In Situ Recovery Monitoring and Decommissioning Timeliness
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposes to amend its regulations that govern the licensing of uranium mills and the disposition of tailings and waste that arise from the extraction and milling of uranium by issuing risk-informed requirements for groundwater protection at uranium in situ recovery (ISR) facilities. The NRC's current regulations are focused on conventional uranium milling and do not expressly address uranium extraction by the ISR process. Additionally, NRC proposes to amend its regulations that govern decommissioning timeliness for all licensees to provide additional flexibility for licensees to delay the initiation of decommissioning activities in situations where safety would not be impacted.
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposes to amend its regulations that govern the licensing of uranium mills and the disposition of tailings and waste that arise from the extraction and milling of uranium by issuing risk-informed requirements for groundwater protection at uranium in situ recovery (ISR) facilities. The NRC's current regulations are focused on conventional uranium milling and do not expressly address uranium extraction by the ISR process. Additionally, NRC proposes to amend its regulations that govern decommissioning timeliness for all licensees to provide additional flexibility for licensees to delay the initiation of decommissioning activities in situations where safety would not be impacted.
Proposed rule and draft guidance; request for comment.
Important dates
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Published
September 10, 2026
Comment deadline
October 13, 2026
Federal rulebook sections mentioned
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