⚛️NRC Proposes Approval of ASME Unconditioned Code Cases
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approves unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This action would allow nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components. These standards are set forth in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ASME Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, which are currently incorporated by reference into the NRC's regulations. The NRC is requesting comments on this proposed rule.
Learn More⚛️NRC Updates Regulatory Guide on ASME Code Cases for Nuclear Plants
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approves unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This action allows nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components. These standards are set forth in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ASME Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, which are currently incorporated by reference into the NRC's regulations.
Learn More⚡New Rules for Voluntary Agreements Under Defense Production Act
This interim final rule codifies standards and procedures the Department of Energy will follow when developing and carrying out voluntary agreements and plans of action under the Defense Production Act. The Defense Production Act provides a defense from antitrust laws with respect to any action taken to develop or carry out any voluntary agreement or plan of action when certain criteria are met. The rule will apply the Defense Production Act's long-standing provisions and will be set out in a new and dedicated part in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Learn More⚡DOE Revises NEPA Procedures
This interim final rule substantially revises Department of Energy's (DOE) regulations containing its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures, which were promulgated to supplement now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality regulations. Mindful that the Supreme Court recently clarified NEPA is a "purely procedural statute," DOE will henceforth maintain the remainder of its procedures in a procedural guidance document separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (DOE NEPA implementing procedures). Thus, DOE is revising 10 CFR part 1021 to contain only administrative and routine actions excepted from NEPA review in appendix A, its existing categorical exclusions in appendix B, related requirements, and a provision for emergency circumstances. DOE is revising appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 to align with DOE's new NEPA implementing procedures that it is publishing separate from the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 (formerly categorical exclusions) are now administrative and routine actions that do not require NEPA review. DOE is also revising 10 CFR part 205, subpart W, to remove the NEPA procedures from its Presidential permit regulations.
Learn More🏗️NRC Revises Nuclear Design Certification Duration to 40 Years
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). Specifically, this direct final rule replaces the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs, including renewals. This direct final rule does not change the date of issuance or renewal for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced remains unchanged). This direct final rule also incorporates a minor editorial correction.
Learn More⚛️NRC Proposes Rule to Extend Nuclear Design Certifications to 40 Years
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). Specifically, this proposed rule would replace the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs, including renewals. This proposed rule would not change the date of issuance or renewal for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced would remain unchanged). The proposed rule would also incorporate a minor editorial correction.
Learn More⚛️NRC Fee Schedules Amendment for FY 2025
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. These amendments are necessary to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which requires the NRC to recover, to the maximum extent practicable, approximately 100 percent of its annual budget, less certain amounts excluded from this fee recovery requirement. In addition, the NRC is making amendments to implement a reduced hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants for certain activities as required by the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024.
Learn More💰NRC Proposed Fee Schedules and Recovery for FY 2025
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. The proposed amendments are necessary to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which requires the NRC to recover, to the maximum extent practicable, approximately 100 percent of its annual budget less certain amounts excluded from this fee recovery requirement. In addition, the NRC is proposing amendments to implement a reduced hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants for certain activities as required by the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024.
Learn More⚖️NRC Adjusts Civil Penalties for Inflation in FY2025
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to adjust the maximum civil monetary penalties it can assess under statutes enforced by the agency. These changes are mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The NRC is amending its regulations to adjust the maximum civil monetary penalty for a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or any regulation or order issued under the Atomic Energy Act from $362,814 to $372,240 per violation, per day. Additionally, the NRC is amending provisions concerning program fraud civil penalties by adjusting the maximum civil monetary penalty under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act from $13,946 to $14,308 for each false claim or statement.
Learn More