NRC making changes to mandatory hearings timeline

[Marlin]

NRC making changes to mandatory hearings timeline

https://www.ans.org/news/2026-06-10/article-8110/nrc-making-changes-to-mandatory-hearings-timeline/

[Core Content]

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will now hold mandatory, uncontested licensing hearings approximately 30 days after an application is docketed. This shift moves the hearings from the end of the review process to the beginning to increase public engagement and improve resource allocation. The new policy applies to both current and future reactor applications and delegates hearing authority to the agency's executive director of operations.

Mandatory hearings conducted as part of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission reactor licensing review will be held much sooner in the process, the agency announced Tuesday.

A provision states that uncontested hearings must be held at some point after 30 days of an application being docketed. Historically, the NRC has conducted these toward the end of its review of applications for construction permits, early site permits, and combined licenses. The change announced this week would have hearings be held sooner, about 30 days after an application is docketed.

Read the full article at ans.org:
https://www.ans.org/news/2026-06-10/article-8110/nrc-making-changes-to-mandatory-hearings-timeline/