NRC issues draft environmental review for four Fermi America reactors in Texas

WASHINGTON, Oct 9 — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on Friday issued for public comment a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on Fermi America's application to build and operate four AP1000 reactors at its Project Matador campus in Texas.

The reactors, designated Project Matador Nuclear Units 1-4, would be located at the Project Matador Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus in Carson County, Texas, next to the U.S. Department of Energy's Pantex Plant, according to the notice in the Federal Register.

The draft EIS gives a preliminary recommendation that the NRC issue the requested combined license (COL) to Fermi America. That recommendation is contingent on successful completion of the safety review and applies unless safety issues mandate otherwise, the notice said.

The NRC staff based the preliminary recommendation on its own environmental review, its assessment of the applicant-prepared EIS, consultation with Federal, State and local agencies and Indian Tribes, and public comments received during scoping, the notice said.

The draft also evaluates the no-action alternative, which is denying the license application.

The NRC is taking comments on the draft EIS until Nov. 23, 2026. Comments received after that date will be considered if it is practical to do so, according to the notice.

Fermi America submitted the first portion of its COL application on June 17, 2025, and a second submittal on Aug. 20, 2025. The company is taking part in a pilot program in which the applicant prepares the draft EIS under NRC supervision. The NRC published a notice of intent to prepare an EIS on March 20, 2026.