WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced the Advancing Nuclear Regulatory Oversight Act, which directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to submit to Congress reports that outline any changes the agency made to its processes or procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and explain how the agency could implement these changes to become more efficient in the future, in addition to investigating other changes that could be made to streamline regulation.

“Every government agency can – and must – become more efficient and update their practices to ensure proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “My bill is a commonsense approach to provide the information both Congress and the NRC need in order to enact future decisions, improve processes, and maintain excellent safety standards. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”

The Advancing Nuclear Regulatory Oversight Act requires the NRC to produce three reports to Congress that detail how to improve regulatory oversight. The first report discusses and implements lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The second report assesses specific elements of oversight and inspections that can be modified using technology, improved planning, and risk-informed and performance-based evaluations. The third report reviews office and facility space requirements.

A discussion draft of this bill was reported favorably out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee and awaits consideration in the full committee.

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