The NRC celebrates 50 years by advancing nuclear energy

By David Wright

This is a lightly edited excerpt of testimony recently provided to the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works committee hearing "Oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was established to regulate commercial nuclear power plants, along with researching and testing reactors, nuclear fuel cycle facilities and radioactive materials used in medicine, academia and industry. The agency also regulates the transportation, storage and disposal of radioactive materials and waste, the export and import of radioactive materials, nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities and the export of nuclear facility components.

This year marks the NRC’s 50th anniversary — a milestone that reflects five decades of unwavering commitment to public health and safety. Our success is rooted in the dedication and expertise of our workforce, whose efforts have made the NRC the global gold standard in nuclear regulation. I am proud to lead this agency at this dynamic time.

A new framework for the future

The NRC is implementing Executive Order 14300, which calls for a modernized, more agile regulatory framework to support the safe and timely deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. This directive challenges us to think differently, act decisively and collaborate effectively across government.

While we work in partnership with agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, the NRC remains responsible for commercial civilian licensing and oversight. 

We are establishing expedited pathways for reviewing reactor designs that have demonstrated safe performance in federal programs. Additionally, we are updating our processes to provide reviews that are commensurate with the associated level of risk. At the same time, we are reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability. This is not just regulatory reform — it is a cultural transformation that positions the NRC to be a forward-leaning, risk informed regulator for the future. 

The NRC is actively reforming its internal culture to become a more efficient and modern agency, while maintaining our focus on safety. Consistent with the agency’s new mission statement, we issued a new procedure on interactions with industry to drive quicker regulatory decisions through more effective communications. It establishes clear expectations about how NRC staff should be proactive in clarifying gaps in regulatory requirements, offering insights into potential solutions and being a helpful and responsive regulator. The NRC is also increasing accountability through a new project management initiative that ties metrics to individual performance. 

Early results are promising

In May, we approved the NuScale US460 small modular reactor Standard Design two months early and launched a risk-informed, technology-inclusive microreactor licensing plan. Two months later, we extended reactor design certification terms from 15 to 40 years — reducing regulatory burden while maintaining safety.

We also reached a historic milestone by completing key licensing actions to facilitate the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan, potentially the first permanently shut-down reactor to resume operations. This sets a precedent for future restarts, including a reactor at the Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania and Duane Arnold in Iowa.

Additionally, we completed the VC Summer Subsequent License Renewal both early and under budget, extending operations through 2062. And we began an unprecedented six-month review for Disa Technologies’ multi-site radioactive materials license — aimed at remediating up to 15,000 abandoned uranium mines, many on Tribal lands. This represents a significant advancement for the NRC, made possible by the bipartisan support of Congress.

The NRC is delivering results that matter — expedited reviews, streamlined regulations and a rededicated focus to the safety mission. We are embracing innovation. Our work is not just about regulation — it’s about enabling a safer, more secure energy future for all Americans.

Read the full testimony here.

David Wright serves as the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

^{*The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EnergyPlatform.News.}