NRC Floats Idea of Expiring Nuclear Rules
Published Date: 12/3/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission wants to add expiration dates to some of its rules to keep things fresh and efficient, following a new government order. This change affects anyone involved with nuclear regulations and means some rules might end unless renewed. You’ve got until January 2, 2026, to share your thoughts, so don’t miss out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Certain NRC Rules to Expire After One Year
The NRC proposes adding a conditional sunset date to certain regulations so those rules would expire one year after this rule's effective date (the direct final rule is effective January 8, 2026, so the conditional sunset date would be January 8, 2027) unless extended.
Sunseted Rules Will Be Removed and Not Enforced
If a regulation is sunset under this rule, the NRC will consider it no longer effective, will not seek to enforce it after the sunset date, and will remove it from the Code of Federal Regulations and make conforming changes.
Most NRC Regulations Exempt from Sunsetting
The rule only applies to regulations that do not fall into three categories (necessary for the NRC's statutory mandate, part of statutory permitting regimes, or not implementing the three listed statutes). The NRC says the vast majority of its regulations fit into those categories and are therefore outside the scope of this sunsetting rule.
Public Comment and Possible Extensions Before Sunset
The NRC will offer the public an opportunity to comment on the costs and benefits of regulations proposed for sunset before the sunset date, and the NRC may extend the conditional sunsetting date as many times as appropriate. Comments on the proposed rule are due January 2, 2026.
NRC Says Direct Costs Limited to Rulemaking Activity
The NRC states it considers the costs incurred by this rule to be solely those related to the rulemaking process and does not identify compliance costs as part of this proposed rule's costs.
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