Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act
Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced
Summary
Streamline nuclear licensing hearings by letting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission skip hearings unless an interested person asks for one. It would also favor informal hearings and clarify when uranium enrichment facilities need a hearing.
Show full summary
- Nuclear facility applicants and operators would usually get permits and amendments faster because the NRC could issue approvals without a hearing if no person with an interest requests one after a 30-day notice. The NRC could skip that 30-day notice for certain amendments that it finds involve no significant hazards consideration.
- Local residents, advocacy groups, and other potential intervenors would need to request a hearing to trigger one. For uranium enrichment facilities, a hearing would occur only if an interested person requests it.
- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission would shift toward informal hearings in covered cases and apply these changes to all applications and proceedings pending on enactment, creating a clearer, faster adjudication path.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New nuclear licensing rules for applicants and neighbors
If enacted, the bill would let the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approve certain construction permits, operating licenses, combined permits, or amendments without a hearing when no interested person asks for one. The Commission would publish one Federal Register notice and wait 30 days before issuing approvals, unless it finds an amendment involves no significant hazards and waives the 30-day notice. If a hearing is held under these rules, the Commission would be required to use informal adjudicatory procedures. The bill would apply these changes to NRC applications and proceedings pending on or after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Tim [R-SC]
SC • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
PA • R
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov