Mayor George Bray is encouraging the public to submit comments following a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The agency is establishing a “categorical exclusion” under its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures for the authorization, siting, construction, operation, reauthorization, and decommissioning of certain advanced nuclear reactors.
A categorical exclusion allows specific types of projects to proceed without detailed environmental review if they are determined not to have significant environmental impacts.
The public comment period is open through March 4, 2026. Comments may be submitted online at DOE Public Comment Portal.
“I encourage all residents to take this opportunity to provide input during the open public comment period on advanced nuclear reactors and the Department of Energy’s categorical exclusion,” said Mayor Bray. “The development of Paducah/McCracken County’s nuclear community is rapidly advancing and community input is an essential element to ensure transparency, safety, and accountability in decisions that may impact our future.”
This new categorical exclusion follows Executive Order 14301, signed in May 2025 by President Donald Trump. The order directs the energy secretary to “eliminate or expedite the Department’s environmental reviews for authorizations, permits, approvals, leases, and any other activity requested by an applicant or potential applicant” regarding reactors within certain parameters.
According to the executive order, advanced reactors—including microreactors, small modular reactors, and Generation III+ and Generation IV reactors—have the potential to support industries such as data centers, microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, healthcare, desalination, and hydrogen production.
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