NRC: News Release - 2006-016 - NRC FY 2007 Budget Reflects Anticipated New Nuclear Power Plant License Applications


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NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001	E-mail: OPA.Resource@nrc.gov
www.nrc.gov

No. 06-016

February 6, 2006

NRC FY 2007 BUDGET REFLECTS ANTICIPATED NEW
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT LICENSE APPLICATIONS
Printable Version

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2007 today, requesting $777 million – an increase of $35 million over its FY 2006 budget. The agency’s Nuclear Reactor Safety program, which includes review of new power plant license applications, saw an increase of $22 million.

"Appropriate funding allows the NRC to carry out its vital longstanding mission to protect public health and safety as well as the new responsibilities and requirements in the Energy Policy Act of 2005," said NRC Chairman Nils J. Diaz. "This budget continues the preparation we are making to review and decide, in a timely manner, the expected requests for new reactor licenses."

The budget reflects a decrease of about $18 million for the Nuclear Materials and Waste Safety program in light of the potential delay in the Department of Energy’s application for the high-level waste repository at Yucca Mountain, and other program changes. The proposed budget also includes an increase of approximately $10 million to fund federal pay raises and other compensation and benefits increases, and an increase of $21 million for the agency’s infrastructure and support activities.

Specific funding levels include:

• $341.3 million for reactor licensing, including security reviews and activities;

• $222 million for reactor inspection, including security oversight;

• $205.1 million for nuclear materials and waste safety; and

• $8.1 million for the Inspector General.

The proposed budget is offset by $627.7 million from fees the NRC collects from its licensees and $41 million from the Nuclear Waste Fund, resulting in a request from the General Fund of $107.9 million.

More details of the NRC proposed 2007 budget can be found on the Web site, at www.nrc.gov.

Note to Editors: A phone press briefing with NRC Deputy Chief Financial Officer Peter Rabideau will be held for reporters from 2 to 3 p.m. today. Reporters can call 301-231-5539 or 800-638-8081. The passcode is 1240.

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