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119-s-2161119th Congress

NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

Office of Public Engagement and Participation would be created inside the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to expand public access to NRC hearings and make participation clearer and fairer. It would use plain-language guidance, more virtual access, and a new fund to help people pay attorney and expert costs.

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  • Communities and participants: Would get plain-language help on how to submit comments, hearing requests, and contentions. They could request compensation for reasonable participation costs, including attorney and expert fees, if they show significant financial hardship and a likely substantial contribution, and they may receive up-front grants when approved as a party.
  • NRC structure and process: Would establish a Director with up to two five-year terms who reports to the Commission but is protected from supervision by individual Commissioners for specified functions. The Office must be set up within 180 days of enactment, issue rules on compensation and concurrent eligibility checks, and publish determinations online.
  • Funding and oversight: Would create an Intervenor Trust Fund to pay compensation, allow transfers from existing appropriations, and authorize appropriations that remain available until expended. The Director must report annually to Congress on assistance requests, payments, and environmental justice activities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to pay NRC participant costs

If enacted, participants in NRC proceedings would be able to get grants or reimbursements for reasonable attorney, expert, and other participation costs. Grants would be available only when the Panel finds participation would cause significant financial hardship and the Office finds the participant would likely make a substantial contribution. Up-front grants could be given to approved parties who submit expected cost estimates. Payments would depend on money in a new Intervenor Trust Fund and on future appropriations. Eligibility and compensation decisions could be appealed to the Commission.

New NRC public engagement office

If enacted, the NRC would have to create an Office of Public Engagement and Participation within 180 days. The Office would give plain-language guides, act as a liaison to public-interest advocates, increase virtual participation options, and help implement certain environmental justice recommendations. A Director would run the Office, serve five-year terms (up to two terms), appoint staff, and be protected from supervision by individual Commissioners. The Director would send Congress an annual report starting within one year listing assistance requests, compensation activity, and actions on assigned recommendations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 7/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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