Nuclear licensing in the United States: enhancing public confidence in the regulatory process

Abstract

A nuclear regulator's paramount purpose is to utilize its expertise to ensure protection of public safety. But, recent actions by countries, such as Germany, to phase out nuclear power illustrate that public perception of nuclear safety can change swiftly despite a country's long history of safely operating nuclear power plants. Public trust, acceptance, and involvement in nuclear regulatory decisions, therefore, are critical to a successful nuclear power program. In the United States, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission ('NRC') has a long-standing practice of conducting its regulatory responsibilities in an open and transparent manner. The NRC, as a regular part of its decision-making process, also reaches out to affected and interested parties and invites their involvement in its regulatory processes. The NRC's efforts to instill public confidence are an explicit recognition that nuclear safety and security are the public's business. While the NRC must balance the public's rights to participate in the licensing process with the applicant's right to an efficient and timely licensing decision on an application, ultimately the NRC's decision-making process is more effective and more broadly accepted by the public when it includes participation of a diverse range of interested and affected parties.

Nuclear Energy Safety, Regulatory Independence, and Judicial Deference: The Case of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India

“…AERB was officially constituted in 1983 through the powers granted under Section 27. It derives regulatory authority from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, ensuring the allocation of expert resources to ensure public health and safety (Smith, 2015). In existence for 35 years, AERB has built significant technical and work force capability, allowing for effective regulation of nuclear energy.…”