NRC Proposes Broad Overhaul of Nuclear Reactor Regulations

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed a broad overhaul of its regulations governing nuclear reactor licensing and oversight, eliminating outdated requirements, increasing regulatory flexibility and using more risk-informed approaches to support safe and efficient nuclear deployment. 

The proposed rule is part of the NRC’s implementation of Executive Order 14300, which directs the agency to modernize its regulatory framework. The changes would apply to both existing nuclear power plants and new reactor applicants and are intended to make NRC regulations more efficient, predictable and adaptable to evolving nuclear technologies while maintaining the agency’s safety mission. 

“This major modernization of the NRC’s reactor regulations replaces outdated requirements with smarter, risk-informed approaches that reflect today’s technologies, knowledge and operating experience,” NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh said. “The result is a regulatory framework that maintains strong safety margins while eliminating unnecessary constraints and providing the flexibility needed for America’s long-term energy security.” 

The proposal would, among other things: 

• Apply a more risk-informed, graded approach to earthquake design requirements; 
• Remove the expiration date for standard design approvals; 
• Add flexibility for licensing reactor control-room staff; 
• Update how the NRC establishes new or revised requirements for existing facilities; 
• Clarify and update defect and noncompliance reporting requirements; 
• Update requirements for reporting nonemergency events at nuclear power plants; • Align financial qualification requirements with the NRC's Part 53 framework; 
• Reduce routine reporting and recordkeeping burden; 
• Refine how new reactor applicants address issues affecting operating reactors generally; and 
• Clarify requirements for plant decommissioning, including use of decommissioning trust funds. 

Comments may be submitted for 30 days after the rule’s publication in the  Federal Register at regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2025-1138. The Federal Register notice has details on how to comment. NRC staff will hold a virtual public meeting during the comment period to explain the proposal and answer questions. The NRC will not accept comments during the meeting.