Sponsors (2)
The bill boosts public participation, advocacy, and transparency in NRC proceedings—helping underserved communities and balancing industry influence—but does so at added cost, with risks of slower proceedings, possible governance insulation, and uneven benefits for less-resourced participants.
Local governments, rural communities, people with disabilities, and other members of the public gain concrete, centralized help to participate in NRC licensing and enforcement proceedings through an Office that provides education, legal and technical assistance, reimbursement for participation costs in significant proceedings, and public-interest advocacy.
Taxpayers and the public benefit from increased transparency and oversight because the Office must report annually to Congress on assistance requests and common participation difficulties.
Taxpayers and utility customers may face higher costs because establishing and operating the Office and reimbursing participation fees could be funded via NRC fees or public funding.
Utilities and other stakeholders could see NRC licensing and enforcement proceedings slowed if increased formal participation and assistance requests lengthen adjudications or require additional agency resources.
The Office’s Director has limited removal protections and a multi-year term, which could reduce rapid accountability to changing administrations or policy priorities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation to support public involvement, provide assistance, allow limited reimbursement of participation costs, and deliver annual reports to Congress.
Introduced June 25, 2025 by Mike Levin · Last progress June 25, 2025
Creates an Office of Public Engagement and Participation inside the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) led by a Director appointed by the Chairman with Commission approval for up to two five-year terms. The Office can hire staff, is paid up to the SES maximum, must be kept independent within the NRC, and must submit an annual report to Congress on requests for assistance and common participation problems. The Office’s duties include coordinating and supporting public participation in NRC proceedings, advocating for the public interest, and providing educational, legal, and technical assistance. The NRC may, by rule, reimburse reasonable attorney, expert, and other participation costs for individuals or groups when a proceeding is significant and the participant demonstrates financial hardship; the measure expressly preserves existing public engagement standards.