ABOUT THE NRC

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or 

agency) is an independent agency that was established 

by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and 

began operations in 1975. Congress established the 

NRC to regulate the Nation’s civilian commercial, 

industrial, academic, and medical uses of nuclear 

materials. The NRC is headed by five Commissioners 

appointed by the President of the United States, with 

the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate, to serve 

staggered 5-year terms. The President designates 

one of the Commissioners to serve as Chairman.

The NRC’s scope of responsibility includes the regulation 

of commercial nuclear power plants; research and test 

reactors; nuclear fuel cycle facilities; medical, academic, 

and industrial uses of radioactive materials; the 

decommissioning of these facilities and sites; and the 

transport, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials 

and wastes. The NRC issues licenses for civilian uses 

of radioactive materials, oversees the licensees, and 

certifies standard nuclear reactor designs and spent 

fuel storage casks and transportation packages. The 

NRC provides consultation to the U.S. Department 

of Energy (DOE) about disposal options for waste 

incidental to reprocessing and monitors the Department’s 

disposal actions for incidental waste. The NRC also 

licenses the import and export of radioactive materials; 

participates in international nuclear activities, including 

multilateral and bilateral safety and security activities; 

and works closely with its international counterparts 

to enhance nuclear safety and security worldwide.

MISSION

The mission of the NRC is to license and regulate the 

Nation’s civilian use of byproduct, source, and special 

nuclear materials to ensure the adequate protection 

of public health and safety, promote the common 

defense and security, and protect the environment.

NRC ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

The NRC organizational values ensure excellence 

in accomplishing the agency’s mission:

n integrity in our working relationships, practices, 

and decisions 

n service to the public and others who are affected by 

our work

n openness in communications and decision-making

n commitment to public health and safety, 

security, and the environment

n cooperation in the planning, management, and 

performance of agency work

n excellence in our individual and collective actions

n respect for individuals’ diversity, roles, beliefs, 

viewpoints, and work/life balance

STRATEGIC GOALS

Safety: Ensure adequate protection of public 

health and safety and the environment.

Security: Ensure adequate protection in the secure 

use and management of radioactive materials.

STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

n Prevent the occurrence of nuclear reactor accidents.

n Prevent the occurrence of inadvertent criticality events.

n Prevent the occurrence of acute radiation exposures 

resulting in fatalities.

n Prevent the occurrence of releases of radioactive 

materials that result in significant radiation exposures.

n Prevent the occurrence of releases of radioactive materials 

that cause significant adverse environmental impacts.

n Prevent instances where licensed radioactive materials are 

used domestically in a manner hostile to the United States.

n Prevent unauthorized public disclosures of classified or 

Safeguards Information through quality measures.

STRATEGIC PLAN 

FISCAL YEARS 2008-2013

AT-A-GLANCE