Sponsors (2)
The bill creates an independent Office to broaden and support public participation in NRC proceedings—improving equity and transparency—but it raises administrative costs, creates potential incentives and implementation complexities, and limits leadership flexibility, shifting costs and risks onto licensees, utility customers, and taxpayers.
Members of the public, community groups, and local/state governments will get a staffed Office that provides education, technical, and legal assistance to navigate NRC proceedings, making participation easier and more effective.
Low‑income or resource‑constrained participants (including nonprofits and individuals) will be eligible for awards covering attorneys' and expert fees when their input substantially contributes, lowering financial barriers to meaningful participation.
Taxpayers and the public will gain more oversight because the Office must provide annual reports to Congress detailing public engagement, barriers encountered, and Office activities.
Licensees, utility customers, and taxpayers will likely face higher costs because creating and staffing the Office increases NRC administrative expenses that are ultimately borne by licensees and possibly passed to customers or supported by taxpayers.
Taxpayers and licensees will face higher NRC expenditures and potential abuse of the fee award process because paying attorneys' and expert fees in contested proceedings can increase program costs and may incentivize costly participation or claims for compensation.
Taxpayers and NRC management will face reduced flexibility because removal protections for the Director limit the Commission's ability to replace leadership, which could impede management accountability if the Office underperforms.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation to support public input, provide assistance, and permit fee compensation for qualifying contributors.
Introduced June 25, 2025 by Mike Levin · Last progress June 25, 2025
Creates a new Office of Public Engagement and Participation within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The Office is headed by a Director appointed by the Chairman with Commission approval for a five-year term (renewable once), who may be removed only for cause and is paid up to the Senior Executive Service maximum. The Office will coordinate and support public participation in NRC proceedings, advocate for the public interest, and provide education, legal, and technical assistance. The Commission may compensate reasonable attorney and expert witness fees for participants who substantially contribute to approved positions in significant proceedings if participation without compensation would cause financial hardship. The Director must submit an annual report to Congress and the Chairman must ensure the Office’s institutional independence while preserving existing public engagement standards.