Executive Order

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Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

AI Summary: This is a policy document - specifically an Executive Order reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This regulation orders comprehensive reforms to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with the goal of accelerating nuclear energy development in the United States. The order directs the NRC to fundamentally change its approach to regulating nuclear power, including establishing fixed deadlines for license applications, adopting more science-based radiation exposure standards, streamlining regulatory processes, and creating expedited pathways for approving new reactor designs. Key changes include setting maximum timelines of 18 months for new reactor construction approvals and 1 year for existing reactor operating license renewals, reconsidering current radiation exposure models, establishing faster licensing processes for microreactors and modular reactors, and focusing regulatory oversight on credible, realistic risks. The regulation aims to facilitate increased nuclear energy capacity from approximately 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050, support technological innovation, and reestablish the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy development. The order requires the NRC to complete a wholesale revision of its regulations and guidance documents within 18 months, working collaboratively with other government agencies to implement these reforms.