SMR, LLC; Palisades SMR, LLC; Pioneer Units 1 and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

Official abstract: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for an exemption requested by SMR, LLC on behalf of Palisades SMR, LLC (Palisades SMR), associated with certain excavation support activities for the proposed dual-unit SMR-300 plant, Pioneer Units 1 and 2, at the Palisades Energy Center in Covert, Michigan. Specifically, Palisades SMR is requesting an exemption, pursuant to NRC regulations, to allow for construction of support of excavation (SOE) walls during SMR-300 excavation and prior to issuance of a Limited Work Authorization (LWA), if approved. Based on the analyses presented in the EA, the NRC staff determined that there would be no significant environmental impacts associated with granting the requested exemption.