Bill Summary
The "Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act" aims to streamline the process for hearings related to nuclear facility construction applications under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Key amendments include:
1. **Hearing Procedures**: The legislation allows the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue permits and licenses without a hearing if no interested parties request one, provided there is a 30-day notice published in the Federal Register. The NRC can also utilize informal adjudicatory procedures for any hearings that are held.
2. **Construction and Operating Licenses**: The bill modifies the requirements for construction permits and operating licenses, allowing the NRC to proceed with applications after the notice period or following a hearing, rather than mandating a public hearing in every case.
3. **Uranium Enrichment Facilities**: For licensing uranium enrichment facilities, a hearing will only be required if a request is made by an affected party.
Overall, the bill is designed to make the licensing process for nuclear facilities more efficient while still maintaining necessary oversight and safety considerations.
Possible Impacts
The "Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Reduced Public Participation**: By allowing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue construction permits and operating licenses without a public hearing if no one requests one, the legislation may limit opportunities for community members and stakeholders to voice concerns about nuclear facility projects that could impact their health and safety. This could lead to a perception that public input is undervalued, potentially eroding trust in regulatory processes.
2. **Faster Project Approvals**: The amendments to the hearing procedures could streamline the approval process for nuclear facility construction and operation. This may lead to quicker deployment of nuclear energy projects, potentially increasing job opportunities in the nuclear sector and contributing to energy production. However, this rapid approach might compromise thorough assessments of environmental or safety risks associated with such facilities.
3. **Impact on Environmental Oversight**: The changes to the hearing requirements and the potential for informal adjudicatory procedures might reduce the level of scrutiny and oversight regarding environmental and safety concerns related to nuclear facilities. If significant hazards are not adequately considered due to expedited processes, it could pose risks to surrounding communities, wildlife, and ecosystems, thereby affecting public health and the environment.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5549 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5549
To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to provide for more efficient
hearings on nuclear facility construction applications, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 23, 2025
Mr. Griffith (for himself, Ms. Schrier, and Mr. Veasey) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to provide for more efficient
hearings on nuclear facility construction applications, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings
Act''.
SEC. 2. UPDATING HEARING PROCEDURES.
(a) Hearings and Judicial Review.--Section 189 a. of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2239(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(A) by striking ``In any proceeding under this
Act'' and inserting the following:
``(i) In any proceeding under this Act''; and
(B) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking
``The Commission shall hold a hearing'' and all that
follows through ``upon a determination by the
Commission that the amendment involves no significant
hazards consideration.'' and inserting the following:
``(ii) The Commission may, in the absence of a request for a
hearing by any person whose interest may be affected, issue a
construction permit, an operating license, a combined construction
permit and operating license, an amendment to a construction permit, an
amendment to an operating license, or an amendment to a combined
construction permit and operating license under section 103, 104 b.,
104 c., or 185 b. for a facility or a testing facility, without a
hearing, but upon thirty days notice and publication once in the
Federal Register of its intent to do so. The Commission may dispense
with such thirty days notice and publication with respect to any
application for an amendment to a construction permit, an amendment to
an operating license, or an amendment to a combined construction permit
and operating license upon a determination by the Commission that the
amendment involves no significant hazards consideration.
``(iii) The Commission shall use informal adjudicatory procedures
for any hearing held by the Commission pursuant to this
subparagraph.'';
(2) in paragraph (1)(B)(iv)--
(A) by inserting ``informal'' before ``hearing
procedures''; and
(B) by striking ``, whether informal or formal
adjudicatory,''; and
(3) in the second sentence of paragraph (2)(A), by striking
``required hearing'' and inserting ``hearing held by the
Commission under this section''.
(b) Construction Permits and Operating Licenses.--Section 185 b. of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2235(b)) is amended by
striking ``After holding a public hearing under section 189 a.
(1)(A),'' and inserting ``After the thirty days notice and publication
period or holding a hearing, as applicable, under section 189 a.
(1)(A),''.
(c) Licensing of Uranium Enrichment Facilities.--Section 193(b) of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2243(b)) is amended by--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``on the record''; and
(B) by inserting ``if a person whose interest may
be affected by such construction and operation has
requested a hearing regarding the licensing of the
construction and operation of the facility'' after
``and 63''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Such hearing'' and
inserting ``If a hearing is held under paragraph (1), the
hearing''.
(d) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
to all applications and proceedings pending before the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission on or after the date of enactment of this
section.
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