NRC launches environmental review of Holtec’s new-build plans for Palisades

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is set to prepare an environmental impact statement for its review of Holtec International's application to site two Holtec SMR-300 reactors at the Palisades site in Covert, Mich. The two planned reactors would be known as Pioneer-1 and -2.

A draft EIS will "identify, describe, and analyze the potential environmental effects of the proposed action and a range of reasonable alternatives," according to the Federal Register notice posted on Monday. To gather information on environmental concerns and specific issues, obtain additional information and analysis, and weigh alternative options, the NRC and cooperating agency the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have opened a 30-day public scoping period as part of the environmental review.

Background: Holtec spent New Year's Eve submitting the first part of a two-part construction permit application to the NRC. In the submission, Holtec was seeking a limited work authorization for the Palisades project, three exemption requests, and a comprehensive environmental report. Pioneer-1 and -2-twin 340-MWe Holtec pressurized water reactors-would join the 777-MWe Palisades PWR that its owners plan to restart.

Holtec has told the NRC it intends to submit Part 2 of the construction permit no later than 18 months after Part 1, or roughly no later than mid-2027.

Next steps: Members of the public have until July 15 to submit comments. Comments on the EIS scoping can be made at regulations.gov (Docket ID NRC-2026-0265). Following the public scoping period, the NRC will publish the draft EIS in a future Federal Register notice for governmental agency and public review and comments.