Government watchdog warns of obstacles to advanced nuclear reactors.

A report from ‍the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has highlighted the ongoing challenges‌ faced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in licensing advanced reactors, despite recent reforms.

“The GAO confirms that the NRC needs to do more to efficiently review ‌and approve advanced nuclear reactor designs,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) in a statement. She and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)⁣ requested the assessment in February 2022.

Their joint letter to the GAO emphasizes the importance of the NRC being prepared⁤ to license and oversee the development and deployment of advanced reactors, which are cutting-edge systems that greatly improve upon designs built before 2019.

“This report’s recommendations align with the Energy and Commerce ⁣Committee’s bipartisan⁢ legislative efforts and⁢ reinforce ​the need for a modern, efficient, predictable regulatory ⁣environment to ensure a robust nuclear ⁤industry,” said Rep. Rodgers.

The GAO’s performance audit included interviews with NRC officials and various stakeholders, providing valuable insights into the ‍agency’s ‌performance.

‘An ​Unwritten Rule’ and Other ​Uncertainties

The⁣ report‍ acknowledges that the NRC has made some improvements to its approach to advanced reactors, such as better interaction ⁣with developers before the application is filed. ​However, it also highlights ongoing challenges, including unclear guidance on incomplete applications.

Developers may face an‌ unpredictable review process due to the ​lack ‍of a thorough, written explanation of how the NRC⁤ handles‍ incomplete applications. The report also questions the NRC’s current guidance on pre-application engagement with developers, creating uncertainty in the industry.

The⁤ GAO ‌report further‌ raises concerns about the ‍NRC’s falling budgets for its Nuclear Reactor⁢ Safety program, which have hindered its ability to attract technical talent. It also highlights the need for clarity​ regarding the role of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) in the licensing process.

The report recommends that the NRC chairman address these issues by clarifying aspects of navigating the agency and establishing benchmarks for staffing gaps. Sen. Capito also ​highlighted her recent bill, the ADVANCE Act, which aims to modernize the NRC and facilitate‌ the deployment of clean, affordable nuclear energy.

Pritzker’s Veto,‌ Ramaswamy’s‍ Vow

The⁤ future of ⁣nuclear ‍energy and the NRC has become increasingly‌ politically significant as efforts to transition ⁣away from coal, oil, and natural gas gain momentum.