Application for Amendment to Facility Operating License Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination and Containing Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information, responses are due 8 September 2026

8 September 2026

What is fixed is the date responses are due: 8 September 2026, when public comment period closes for an application regarding a facility operating license amendment, including procedures for accessing sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information. Applicants for facility operating license amendments and relevant federal agencies in the US.

This Federal Register Notice from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sets out procedures for handling Sensitive Unclassified Non Safeguards Information (SUNSI) in the context of facility operating license amendments. Organisations seeking to comment on proposed amendments or intervene in proceedings must first request access to SUNSI by 8 September 2026. This initial step is critical for preparing substantive comments, which are due by 8 October 2026, or petitions for leave to intervene, due by 9 November 2026.

Applicants and potential intervenors must demonstrate a legitimate need for SUNSI access, typically to formulate contentions or respond to the proposed license changes. The NRC expects a clear articulation of why the information is necessary and how it will be protected, aligning with 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 2.4. Failure to secure SUNSI access by the initial deadline could preclude effective participation in the subsequent regulatory processes, including the opportunity for a hearing.

Organisations should prepare their access requests by identifying the specific SUNSI required and detailing their proposed protective measures. This proactive engagement ensures compliance with the NRC's procedural requirements and facilitates informed input on the safety and security implications of nuclear facility operations.

The recurring challenge of balancing public transparency with the protection of sensitive information is a constant feature of regulatory frameworks, as seen in 10 CFR section 2.4.