The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced Thursday that it has approved a rule on the process for addressing petitions in the rulemaking process.
According to the commission, the changes will allow a more streamlined process and offer clarification of NRC policy and practices.
The rule states that any members of the public may submit a petition to the NRC to issue amended regulations or to draft new regulation practices.
Revisions that are to be added to policy are intended to increase consistency, transparency and the timeliness of the petitioning process and would also improve methods of resolving a petition docket following either the initiation of the rulemaking process or the denial of a petition.
The NRC states that this update is the first comprehensive change to the process since its inception in 1979. There was a public comment period that began in May 2013, and this material was taken into consideration as the final rule was being developed.
When considering a petition on rulemaking, its primary goal is to make sure that NRC-licensed activities are carried out in a way that preserves the insurance of safety, public and environmental health, and defense and security. Those petitions that raise safety concerns will receive immediate attention.
