NUREG-2237 is a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). It evaluates a private company’s proposal (Holtec International) to build and operate a consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) for spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste in southeastern New Mexico.
An Environmental Impact Statement is a formal federal review required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It examines how a proposed project could affect the environment, nearby communities, and public health, and it must consider alternatives—including taking no action.
NUREG-2237 does not approve the project on its own, but it plays a critical legal role in the federal licensing process.
- It provides the NRC’s official environmental analysis of the proposed storage facility, including impacts from storing large quantities of radioactive waste for up to 40 years.
- It supports the NRC’s decision on whether to issue a license for the facility. The agency’s staff concluded that the license could be granted for an initial phase, subject to safety findings.
- It documents public comments and agency consultations, which are required steps before a federal decision can be finalized.
