Proposed NRC rule would increase some fees, lower others

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) wants to change its regulations to lower the currently hourly rate and change the flat license application fees.

Compared with the FY 2014 annual fees, the proposed rule would increase the cost of licenses for operating reactors, fuel facilities, spent fuel storage and reactor decommissioning, research and test reactors, some materials users, DOE transportation active ties, and most uranium recovery licensees. The FY 2015 fees for operating reactors would decrease in the final rule, according to the NRC.

The proposed fee rule was published Monday in the Federal Register and includes fees required by law to recover approximately 90 percent of the agency’s budget authority.

Public comments on the changes are due by April 22 and may be submitted through the website www.regulations.gov using Docket ID NRC-2014-0200 or by email to Rulemaking.Comments@nrc.gov. They may also be mailed to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555.