NRC Mission Alignment Act

Bill: 118-hr-6265
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2023-11-07
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Electric power generation and transmission

Licensing and registrations

Nuclear power
Latest action: action_date: 2023-11-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6265 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 7, 2023 Mr. Duncan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to update the mission statement of the Commission to ensure licensing and regulation is efficient and is in alignment with the policies stated in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the NRC Mission Alignment Act . 2. Improving the general welfare and licensing efficiency (a) Mission of the Commission (1) Update Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall, while remaining consistent with the policies of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (including to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of the public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment), update the mission statement of the Commission to include that licensing and regulation of nuclear energy activities be conducted in a manner that is efficient and does not unnecessarily limit— (A) the potential of nuclear energy to improve the general welfare; and (B) the benefits of nuclear energy technology to society. (2) Report Upon completion of the updates to the mission statement required under paragraph (1), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall submit to Congress a report that describes— (A) the updated mission statement; and (B) the guidance that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will provide to staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure effective performance of such mission. (b) Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Section 203 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 ( 42 U.S.C. 5843 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking (a) There and inserting the following: (a) Establishment; appointment of director There ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— (i) by striking (b) Subject and inserting the following: (b) Functions of director Subject ; and (ii) by striking delegate including: and inserting delegate, including the following: ; and (B) in paragraph (3), by striking for the discharge of the and inserting to fulfill the licensing and regulatory oversight ; (3) in subsection (c), by striking (c) Nothing and inserting the following: (d) Responsibility for safe operation of facilities Nothing ; and (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: (c) Licensing process In carrying out the principal licensing and regulation functions under subsection (b)(1), the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation shall— (1) establish techniques and guidance for evaluating applications for licenses for nuclear reactors to support efficient, timely, and predictable reviews of applications for such licenses to enable the safe and secure use of nuclear reactors; (2) maintain the techniques and guidance established under paragraph (1) by periodically assessing and, if necessary, modifying such techniques and guidance; and (3) obtain approval from the Commission if establishment or modification of the techniques and guidance established under paragraph (1) or (2) involves policy formulation. .