ELR Citation: 56 ELR 20099
No(s). 24-1318 (D.C. Cir. Jul 21, 2026)

The D.C. Circuit denied environmental groups' petition to review FERC's 2024 revision to its process for evaluating nuclear power plant operating license renewals. The groups argued FERC did not adequately consider how aging components and climate change affected the risk of accidents involving reactor-core damage. The court found neither the effects of aging on components nor the effects of climate change on external hazards were environmental impacts that NEPA required the Commission to address; rather, the impacts at issue were from severe accidents, which FERC studied extensively by assessing their likelihood and the consequences if they were to occur. It thus found no basis to conclude that the Commission acted arbitrarily by failing to discuss the aging- or climate-related inputs in its severe-accident risk analysis. It denied the petition.