Ryan K. Lighty

Ryan’s experience with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and working knowledge of NRC technical requirements allows him to assist clients with restarting or extending the operating life of existing nuclear reactors. He serves on the Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) License Renewal Environmental Task Force and has advised utilities and independent power producers on more than half of the subsequent license renewal (SLR) applications filed with the NRC to date.

Ryan also serves on NEI’s Siting Task Force for new reactor projects. He regularly counsels a range of clients (including investors, reactor technology vendors, and project sponsors) on NRC requirements associated with construction permits, operating licenses, combined licenses (COLs), early site permits (ESPs), design certifications (DCs), and other regulatory pathways for deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors, micro-reactors, and traditional large light-water reactors. He also provides strategic advice to clients regarding the use of carbon-free nuclear power for nontraditional uses, including production of hydrogen, medical isotopes, industrial process heat, and power for data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations.

Before joining Morgan Lewis, Ryan was an attorney in the NRC’s Office of the General Counsel and served as acting regional counsel in the agency’s Region III office.

• Advised and represented multiple power reactor owners and operators in obtaining NRC Subsequent License Renewals (SLR) that will allow the units to continue producing carbon-free electricity from 60 to 80 years beyond their initial licensing dates.
• Advised and represented multiple applicants for SMR, advanced reactor, micro-reactor, and medical isotope facility licenses in various pre-application and application review activities and associated administrative litigation.
• Advised and represented a joint venture in obtaining an NRC license to construct and operate a consolidated interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel in Southwest Texas.
• Advised and represented current and prospective power reactor owners and operators in multiple transactions and NRC license transfer proceedings related to corporate restructuring, traditional sale transactions, and transfers to decommissioning vendors.