The Department of Energy (DOE)’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has published a Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Draft Site-wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL SWEIS). The NOA was published in the Federal Register Nov. 4.

The Draft LLNL SWEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of two reasonable alternatives for continuing LLNL operations for approximately the next 15 years.  

“As we carry out our national security missions, NNSA is committed to being a good steward of the environment,” said Jill Hruby, DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator. “Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is critical for NNSA’s Stockpile Stewardship Program, reducing global nuclear threats, and other key missions.” 

The Draft LLNL SWEIS analyzes the No-Action Alternative and the Proposed Action. The No-Action Alternative, which provides a benchmark for comparison with the environmental effects of the other alternative, is to continue current LLNL operations of programs in support of its assigned missions, without foreseeable new operations and facilities for the next 15 years. The Proposed Action addresses aging infrastructure concerns and includes projects, activities, and facilities described for the No-Action Alternative, as well as the construction of new facilities, modification of existing facilities, operational changes, and decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of excess facilities.  

The NOA invites other federal agencies, Native American Tribes, state and local governments, and members of the public to comment on the alternatives in this draft SWEIS. Two in-person public hearings are tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7 in Livermore, California, and Dec. 8 in Tracy, California. An online public hearing is planned; its date and time – and access instructions – will be announced at least 15 days beforehand. Information and details on how to participate in the public hearings and submit comments will be posted on the NNSA NEPA Reading Room web page and will also be published in local newspapers at least 15 days prior to the final date of the hearings. Any necessary changes will be announced in the local media.

Following the comment period, NNSA will prepare the Final LLNL SWEIS. NNSA anticipates the Final LLNL SWEIS will be published in 2023.

Original source can be found here.