NRC NEWS

 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 

 Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200

 Washington, DC 20555-0001 E-mail: opa@nrc.gov 

 Web Site: www.nrc.gov

No. 02-013 February 4, 2002

NRC ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF FY 2003 BUDGET 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is making available its budget to Congress for Fiscal Year

2003, requesting $605.6 million for regulation of the nationís nuclear power plants and nuclear

materials to protect public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to

protect the environment. 

Reflected in the budget are a number of challenges now facing the agency, including an

increased focus on homeland security as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks and a renewed

interest in building nuclear power plants. The budget includes $29.3 million for NRCís homeland

security activities.

To keep pace with industryís renewed interest in possible construction of new nuclear power

plants, the budget includes $24.8 million for new reactor initiatives including application reviews,

improvements to our regulations, and research to support staffís assessment of new technologies. It also

includes $16.9 million to review five license renewal applications expected in FY 2002 and five in FY

2003.

The FY 2003 budget of $605.6 million represents a $27.1 million (approximately 4.7 percent)

increase above the current fiscal year. About half of the increase ($14.8 million) is needed for new

reactor licensing activities. The remainder of the increase is for Federal pay raises and increases in

benefit and retirement costs; reactor license renewal; key safety research; keeping pace with the

Department of Energyís High-Level Waste program; and additional investments in the agencyís

information technology, human capital, and facilities.

Funding for each of the agencyís strategic arenas and the Inspector General is as follows:

 Million

Nuclear Reactor Safety $286.0

 Nuclear Materials Safety $ 64.1 

Nuclear Waste Safety $ 71.9 

International Nuclear Safety Support $ 5.4 

Management and Support $171.0 

Inspector General $ 7.2
The budget for the nuclear reactor safety arena includes resources for regulatory oversight of the

104 reactors licensed to operate, license renewal and new license activities, and research to ensure that

licensees design, construct and operate civilian nuclear reactor facilities in a safe manner. The budget

for nuclear materials safety supports oversight of 47 fuel cycle facilities, licensing and inspection of

approximately 4,800 nuclear materials licenses, and supporting research to assure safety of facilities and

materials. For the nuclear waste safety arena, resources provide for high-level radioactive waste

activities, spent fuel storage and transportation, nuclear facility decommissioning, and supporting

research which includes studies on spent fuel storage in dry casks. Resources for international nuclear

safety support allow the agency to continue working with foreign countries and international

organizations to help enhance safe and secure civilian uses of nuclear energy worldwide, and to help

deter nuclear nonproliferation. The budget for management and support covers administrative services

(including rent and facilities management), personnel services, information technology, financial

management, and policy support for the agency.

More detailed information on the budget (NUREG 1100, Vol. 18) is available on the web at:

http://www.nrc.gov/who-we-are/plans.html or may be purchased from the Government Printing Office,

telephone 202-512-1800. A limited number of hard copies are available from NRCís Office of Public

Affairs by calling 301-415-8200. All media inquiries should be made to this office.

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