US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 10165

Site selection

(a)

In general

section 10164 of this titleThe Secretary may select the site evaluated under that the Secretary determines on the basis of available information to be the most suitable for a monitored retrievable storage facility that is an integral part of the system for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste established under this chapter.

(b)

Limitation

section 10134(a) of this titleThe Secretary may not select a site under subsection (a) until the Secretary recommends to the President the approval of a site for development as a repository under .

(c)

Site specific activities

section 10164 of this titleThe Secretary may conduct such site specific activities at each site surveyed under as he determines may be necessary to support an application to the Commission for a license to construct a monitored retrievable storage facility at such site.

(d)

Environmental assessment

42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)42 U.S.C. 4321Site specific activities and selection of a site under this section shall not require the preparation of an environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (). The Secretary shall prepare an environmental assessment with respect to such selection in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary implementing such Act [ et seq.]. Such environmental assessment shall be based upon available information regarding alternative technologies for the storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. The Secretary shall submit such environmental assessment to the Congress at the time such site is selected.

(e)

Notification before selection

(1)
At least 6 months before selecting a site under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify the Governor and legislature of the State in which such site is located, or the governing body of the affected Indian tribe where such site is located, as the case may be, of such potential selection and the basis for such selection.
(2)
Before selecting any site under subsection (a), the Secretary shall hold at least one public hearing in the vicinity of such site to solicit any recommendations of interested parties with respect to issues raised by the selection of such site.
(f)

Notification of selection

The Secretary shall promptly notify Congress and the appropriate State or Indian tribe of the selection under subsection (a).

(g)

Limitation

section 10162(b) of this titleNo monitored retrievable storage facility authorized pursuant to may be constructed in the State of Nevada.

Pub. L. 97–425, title I, § 145Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(d) [title III, § 300]101 Stat. 1329–104 Pub. L. 100–203, title V, § 5021101 Stat. 1330–234 (, as added , , , 1329–121; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 91–19083 Stat. 852 section 4321 of this titleThe National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (d), is , , , which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 100–202Pub. L. 100–203 and added identical sections.