{"id":552,"date":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=552"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","slug":"nuclear-regulatory-commission-fee-schedules-fee-recovery-for-fiscal-year-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=552","title":{"rendered":"Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Highlights<\/h2>\n
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GAO reviewed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) new rule entitled “Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026.” GAO found that the final rule (1) amends the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees; and (2) makes amendments to establish fixed caps on service fees to implement section 5(a) of Executive Order No. 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Enclosed is our assessment of NRC’s compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact me (202) 512-8156.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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B-338497<\/p>\n

July 1, 2026<\/p>\n

The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito
\nChairman
\nThe Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse
\nRanking Member
\nCommittee on Environment and Public Works
\nUnited States Senate<\/p>\n

The Honorable Brett Guthrie
\nChairman
\nThe Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr.
\nRanking Member
\nCommittee on Energy and Commerce
\nHouse of Representatives<\/p>\n

Subject: Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) entitled \u201cFee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026\u201d (RIN: 3150-AL12). We received the rule on June 10, 2026. It\u00a0was published in the Federal Register<\/em> on June 16, 2026. 91 Fed. Reg.\u00a036470. The effective date of the rule is August 17, 2026.<\/p>\n

According to NRC, this rule amends the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. The rule also makes amendments to establish fixed caps on service fees to implement section 5(a) of Executive Order No. 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Enclosed is our assessment of NRC’s compliance with the procedural steps required by section\u00a0801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact me (202) 512-8156.<\/p>\n

\nShirley A. Jones
\nManaging Associate General Counsel<\/p>\n

Enclosure<\/p>\n

cc: Eugene Dacus
\nDirector, Office of Congressional Affairs
\nNuclear Regulatory Commission<\/span><\/p>\n

ENCLOSURE<\/p>\n

REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 801(a)(2)(A) ON A MAJOR RULE
\nISSUED BY THE
\nNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
\nENTITLED
\n\u201cFEE SCHEDULES; FEE RECOVERY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026\u201d
\n(RIN: 3150-AL12)<\/p>\n

(i) Cost-benefit analysis<\/u><\/p>\n

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) prepared an analysis of the costs and benefits of this rule. 91 Fed. Reg. 36470, 36492 (June 16, 2026). According to NRC, the costs of the rule constitute the resources for licensees to read the annual rule and resultant changes to their internal processes for payment. Id. <\/em>at 36493. NRC stated that the rule will result in a net cost to licensees of approximately $727,000, undiscounted, with annualized costs of about $47,561, at a seven percent discount rate. Id. <\/em> NRC does not expect that the rule will result in any behavioral changes related to market entry or exit among licensees on which it assesses 10\u00a0C.F.R. parts 170 and 171 fees, but noted that the implementation of fixed caps on service fees may induce current licensees to submit further licensing actions, or may increase the rate of market entry of new licensees as applicants. Id. <\/em><\/p>\n

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 603\u2013605, 607, and 609<\/u><\/p>\n

NRC determined that this rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and prepared a regulatory flexibility analysis. See <\/em>91 Fed. Reg. at 36492.<\/p>\n

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202\u2013205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1532\u20131535<\/u><\/p>\n

In its submission to us, NRC stated that the Act is not applicable to this rule.<\/p>\n

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders<\/u><\/p>\n

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 551 et seq.<\/em><\/p>\n

On March 12, 2026, NRC published a proposed rule. 91 Fed. Reg. 12084. NRC stated that they received comments from various parties. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36487. NRC responded to comments in this rule. Id.<\/em><\/p>\n

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 3501\u20133520<\/p>\n

According to NRC, this rule does not contain any new or amended collections of information subject to PRA. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36494. NRC stated that existing collections of information were approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-0190. Id.<\/em><\/p>\n

Statutory authorization for the rule<\/p>\n

NRC promulgated this rule pursuant to section 2215 of title 42, United States Code.<\/p>\n

Executive Order No. 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)<\/p>\n

NRC stated that this rule is economically significant under section 3(f)(1) of the Order and was submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36494.<\/p>\n

Executive Order No. 13132 (Federalism)<\/p>\n

In its submission to us, NRC indicated that the Order is not applicable to this rule.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Full Report<\/h2>\n
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GAO Contacts<\/h2>\n
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\t\t\tShirley A. Jones<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing Associate General Counsel<\/div>\n

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Office of the General Counsel<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Source: Reports on Major Rules<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: Reports on Major Rules<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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