WASHINGTON, D.C. — Major provisions of the proposed rule include changes to Part 21 Clarifications, Reporting Requirements for Nonemergency Events, and Decommissioning Licensing Enhancements. The rule affects Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations parts 20, 21, 50, 52, 53, 55, 70, 72, and 75.

The proposed rule includes provisions regarding Financial Qualifications and Decommissioning Trust Fund Use under 10 CFR parts 50, 52, and 53. It also includes provisions regarding Risk Informed Seismic Design under 10 CFR part 50.

The proposal includes provisions regarding Notification of Initial Fuel Load under 10 CFR parts 52 and 53. It also covers Requirements for Evaluation of Generic Issues and Operating Experience under 10 CFR part 52.

International Atomic Energy Agency Notifications are addressed under 10 CFR part 75. The rule includes provisions regarding Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements under 10 CFR parts 50, 52, 53, 70, and 72.

The proposed rule is assigned docket identification numbers PRM-50-110, PRM-50-116, NRC-2025-1138, NRC-2020-0036, NRC-2018-0201, and NRC-2015-0028. Comments on the proposed rule are identified by Docket ID NRC-2025-1138.

Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted electronically via regulations.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. Aaron Kwok of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards is the contact person for further information regarding the proposed rule.

Timeline

President Trump signed Executive Order 14300, titled "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," on May 23, 2025. The proposal addresses Executive Order 14300, which requires a wholesale revision of Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations.

On September 23, 2026, major provisions of the proposed rule were outlined, including changes to Part 21 Clarifications, Reporting Requirements for Nonemergency Events, and Decommissioning Licensing Enhancements. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission estimates the proposed rule will yield net averted costs ranging from $311 million to $411 million over the next 30 years.

The annualized net averted cost is approximately $22.2 million per year at a 7 percent discount rate and $15.1 million per year at a 3 percent discount rate.

The estimated net averted cost for the nuclear industry is $305 million over the 30-year period, based on agency analysis. This figure represents a significant portion of the total projected savings and reflects reduced compliance burdens related to reporting, licensing, and financial assurance requirements.

Why It Matters

The proposed rule represents a response to executive mandates for regulatory reform initiated in 2025. By targeting specific sections of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission aims to streamline licensing and operational oversight processes.

The potential savings of up to $411 million over 30 years indicate a shift in the financial relationship between the agency and the nuclear industry. The rule's provisions cover a wide range of technical and administrative requirements, from seismic design to operator licensing, suggesting a comprehensive update to the existing regulatory framework.