§5843 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Summary

Creates an Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation inside the Commission and a Director to run it. The Commission chooses the Director, who may report straight to the Commission and can be removed by the Commission. The Director must do work the Commission assigns. That work includes being the main person in charge of licensing and overseeing nuclear reactors and related materials under the Atomic Energy Act; checking safety and security of those plants and materials (including monitoring, testing, recommending upgrades, and checking how special nuclear materials and high-level radioactive waste are moved and stored); and suggesting research the Commission needs. For licensing, the Director must make and keep up-to-date methods and guidance for reviewing reactor license applications so reviews are efficient, timely, predictable, and support safe, secure use. The Director must get Commission approval when creating or changing those methods would set policy. Nothing here reduces the Administration’s duties for running facilities safely.