The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its environmental protection regulations by updating the Commission's 1996 findings on the environmental effect of renewing the operating license of a nuclear power plant. The final rule redefines the number and scope of the environmental impact issues that must be addressed by the NRC during license renewal environmental reviews. This final rule also incorporates lessons learned and knowledge gained from license renewal environmental reviews conducted by the NRC since 1996.