For over a decade, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has called for significant reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enable the growth of nuclear energy in the U.S. Last year, Congress underscored this imperative through the ADVANCE Act, and President Trump reinforced it with his May 23, 2025, Executive Order (EO), “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.” This report presents the industry’s recommendations for the most impactful reforms needed to enable the NRC to meet the urgent national demand for more safe, reliable nuclear power.
The U.S. nuclear industry supports the EO’s call for near-term action and recommends the NRC adopt a deployment-oriented, risk-informed, and performance-based approach that enables efficient deployment of advanced reactors, microreactors, power uprates, and fuel facilities, and the long-term operation of the existing fleet.
The NRC plays an essential role in ensuring nuclear safety and public trust; this effort is not about replacing the agency but transforming and modernizing it to meet the demands of today and the future. As the NRC transforms, it should continue to exemplify excellence in nuclear regulatory practice while maintaining its global reputation for safety and oversight. Through thoughtful, risk-informed modifications, the Commission can fulfill its safety mandate while becoming an effective and efficient facilitator of U.S. energy security, economic growth, and technological leadership.
This document has been extensively vetted with NEI member companies representing all aspects of the nuclear value chain including regulatory experts, nuclear technology vendors, current and future plant operators, and suppliers. The recommendations represent a comprehensive set of changes and pathways to implementation that can enable the transition from the regulatory framework of today to an efficent framework of tomorrow that ensures safety. If implemented, our recommendations will effect significant change in a manner that maintains as stable a regulatory framework as possible. Within the larger set of recommendations, the following key areas of reform require particular focus:
Commitment to Safety and Risk-informed Innovation
The industry’s commitment to safety is unwavering, as demonstrated by decades of high performance. Nothing in our recommendations would diminish the high standards that protect the public, workers, and the environment. In fact, recommended reforms such as streamlining environmental reviews, simplifying hearings, and modernizing oversight will improve safety by directing resources toward issues of risk significance.
It is critical that modernization efforts do not divert attention from other high-priority Commission work. Balancing reform initiatives with the continued execution of essential responsibilities will be critical to maintaining program effectiveness. A more responsive regulatory process is a pathway to sustaining safe and reliable operation.
Implementation Pathways
To ensure reforms are timely, NEI urges the NRC to use exemptions, interim enforcement policies, and enforcement guidance memoranda while rulemaking proceeds toward the November 2026 completion date, enabling licensees and applicants to benefit from policy changes that require rulemaking, without delay. Any reforms identified that do not require rulemaking should be implemented immediately by the NRC staff.
Organizational Reform to Support Implementation
Successfully transforming the NRC requires the effective organization of its robust technical capabilities. A well-staffed and strategically structured agency is critical to ensuring a smooth and efficient transition. To implement these reforms, the NRC should consider organizational adjustments that enhance responsiveness and agility—enabling the growth of nuclear energy while maintaining the agency’s global standard for regulatory excellence. Specifically, NEI recommends:
The U.S. nuclear industry supports the EO’s call for near-term action and recommends the NRC adopt a deployment-oriented, risk-informed, and performance-based approach that enables efficient deployment of advanced reactors, microreactors, power uprates, and fuel facilities, and the long-term operation of the existing fleet.
The NRC plays an essential role in ensuring nuclear safety and public trust; this effort is not about replacing the agency but transforming and modernizing it to meet the demands of today and the future. As the NRC transforms, it should continue to exemplify excellence in nuclear regulatory practice while maintaining its global reputation for safety and oversight. Through thoughtful, risk-informed modifications, the Commission can fulfill its safety mandate while becoming an effective and efficient facilitator of U.S. energy security, economic growth, and technological leadership.
This document has been extensively vetted with NEI member companies representing all aspects of the nuclear value chain including regulatory experts, nuclear technology vendors, current and future plant operators, and suppliers. The recommendations represent a comprehensive set of changes and pathways to implementation that can enable the transition from the regulatory framework of today to an efficent framework of tomorrow that ensures safety. If implemented, our recommendations will effect significant change in a manner that maintains as stable a regulatory framework as possible. Within the larger set of recommendations, the following key areas of reform require particular focus:
- Streamline Licensing Actions by enhancing the efficiency of NRC reviews and meeting licensee schedules
- Streamline Oversight and Inspection by eliminating unnecessary inspection to reflect licensee performance
- Enhance Safety Focus by using risk insights and eliminating unnecessary regulatory requirements and processes
- Accelerate Environmental Reviews by removing unnecessary delays impacting urgent grid and industrial needs
- Reform Hearing Process by providing for stakeholder participation while maintaining project timelines
- Modernize Security Framework by restoring requirements to a level that is appropriate for a commercial facility
- Accelerate Deployment Pathways by right-sizing requirements and streamlining approval processes
Commitment to Safety and Risk-informed Innovation
The industry’s commitment to safety is unwavering, as demonstrated by decades of high performance. Nothing in our recommendations would diminish the high standards that protect the public, workers, and the environment. In fact, recommended reforms such as streamlining environmental reviews, simplifying hearings, and modernizing oversight will improve safety by directing resources toward issues of risk significance.
It is critical that modernization efforts do not divert attention from other high-priority Commission work. Balancing reform initiatives with the continued execution of essential responsibilities will be critical to maintaining program effectiveness. A more responsive regulatory process is a pathway to sustaining safe and reliable operation.
Implementation Pathways
To ensure reforms are timely, NEI urges the NRC to use exemptions, interim enforcement policies, and enforcement guidance memoranda while rulemaking proceeds toward the November 2026 completion date, enabling licensees and applicants to benefit from policy changes that require rulemaking, without delay. Any reforms identified that do not require rulemaking should be implemented immediately by the NRC staff.
Organizational Reform to Support Implementation
Successfully transforming the NRC requires the effective organization of its robust technical capabilities. A well-staffed and strategically structured agency is critical to ensuring a smooth and efficient transition. To implement these reforms, the NRC should consider organizational adjustments that enhance responsiveness and agility—enabling the growth of nuclear energy while maintaining the agency’s global standard for regulatory excellence. Specifically, NEI recommends:
- Accelerating decision-making and increasing management focus and accountability by flattening organizational hierarchies;
- Issuing 90% of Staff Requirements Memoranda within 6 months and 100% within 12 months by revising Commission voting processes;
- Improving the consistency and efficiency of oversight by eliminating the regions;
- Focusing sufficient resources on deployment priorities by establishing a dedicated office for new reactor licensing;
- Increasing the cohesiveness of the regulatory process by integrating and streamlining the security and enforcement functions;
- Enhancing the focus on mission critical functions by streamlining the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, the Office of Investigations, and the Office of the Inspector General.