US NRC adds 'enabling' focus to mission statement

Tuesday, 28 January 2025

The new mission statement says: "The NRC protects public health and safety and advances the nation’s common defence and security by enabling the safe and secure use and deployment of civilian nuclear energy technologies and radioactive materials through efficient and reliable licensing, oversight, and regulation for the benefit of society and the environment."

That compares with the previous mission statement which said: "The NRC licenses and regulates the nation's civilian use of radioactive materials to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of public health and safety and to promote the common defence and security and to protect the environment."

It has been updated as directed by the bipartisan Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act which was signed into law by then President Biden in July 2024.

That act directed the NRC to look for ways to speed up its licensing process for new nuclear technology, reduce regulatory costs for companies seeking to license advanced nuclear reactor technologies, as well as creating a "prize" to incentivise the successful deployment of next-generation reactor technologies. It also directs the NRC to enhance its ability to qualify and license accident-tolerant fuels and advanced nuclear fuels.

The act also supports the development of advanced nuclear reactors in other countries, empowering the NRC to lead in international forums to develop regulations for advanced nuclear reactors, and directing the US Department of Energy to improve its process for approving the export of US technology to international markets, while maintaining strong standards for nuclear non-proliferation. Streamlining the regulatory process, with international cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders, is widely seen as a key factor to the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors and advanced nuclear fuels at the scale required to tackle climate change and energy security concerns.

New President Donald Trump has appointed Wright as Chairman of the NRC. In a statement Wright said "It’s a privilege to take on this role and to continue to work with such a dedicated and passionate staff as we tackle the challenges before us. I look forward to working closely and collegially with the other commissioners on the priorities and opportunities ahead."

Referring to the new mission statement, he said: "The future of nuclear energy and radioactive materials in this country is at a crossroads, and the NRC should position itself to be a part of the solution. Congress has directed the NRC to be an enabler to nuclear technologies while staying true to the core principles laid out in the Atomic Energy Act. This updated mission statement meets that intent."