Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Reforms Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Accelerate Reactor Licensing
What it does
The order directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reorganize, revise its rules, and adopt fixed, shortened deadlines to speed review and approval of new and existing reactors.
Real-world impact
- Shorter, fixed licensing timelines for new and existing nuclear reactors.
- Caps on Nuclear Regulatory Commission hourly fee recovery, potentially lowering applicants' costs.
- Aims to create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs in the nuclear industry.
Topics
Summary
This order directs a broad overhaul of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to speed the approval and expansion of nuclear power. It requires the NRC to reorganize staff, rewrite rules, set firm deadlines for licensing decisions, and reconsider radiation limits and hearing processes.
The changes affect nuclear applicants, reactor operators, communities near plants, and the agency's reviewers. The Administration says the goal is more domestic energy, tens of thousands of jobs, and greater U.S. leadership in nuclear power.
Questions, answered
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