Resources

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is under the Office of Management Budget, which is part of the Executive Office of the President. Executive order, “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies” (EO 14215), issued on February 24th, 2025, requires all independent safety agencies to undergo an OIRA review. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must now submit its rulemaking and guidance for a significance determination. If determined to be significant, a proposed rule would go through the EO 12866 OIRA review process that has governed all traditional cabinet departments and agencies since 1993. The purpose of this tracker is to provide insight into the impact of the OIRA process on the rulemaking timeline. Originally published in May of 2026, this resource is updated as new information becomes available.

This factsheet was last updated in September 2026.

This NIA factsheet highlights the expected timeline of the NRC Executive Order 14300 Rulemaking. This timeline helps to provide a quick view of the individual rulemakings populated from the NRC website. Originally published in December of 2025, this resource is updated as new information becomes available.

This factsheet was last updated in September 2026

This brief connects the role of advanced nuclear energy in meeting climate and energy security goals with the urgent need for NRC reform to enable advanced nuclear energy. It outlines the short-, medium- and long-term NRC reforms that are necessary to achieve that goal. It provides recommendations for action by Congress and the NRC and highlights several of NIA's recommendations for improving licensing efficiency. NIA developed this brief to serve as a guide for policymakers, the NRC itself, and key stakeholders in considering and then taking action to ensure the NRC can successfully meet this moment.

This brief was last updated in September 2026

NIA submitted a public comment on the proposed rule, Modernizing Reactor Licensing, Safety Oversight, and Siting Practices. NIA has comments on several topic areas and addresses some of the staff’s specific questions. Additionally, this rulemaking overlaps with several other proposed rules, and NIA encourages NRC to be diligent in ensuring that there are no contradictions across regulations. Finally, while enhancing effectiveness and efficiency, NRC must ensure that guardrails remain to achieve adequate protection of health and the environment. 

NIA submitted a public comment on RC’s Proposed Rule, Reforming and Modernizing the Radiation Protection Framework. NIA is supportive of NRC’s proposal to continue to rely on the Linear No Threshold (LNT) model, but has some concerns about other areas of the proposed rule. In February 2026, NIA said that any reconsideration of the U.S. radiation protection framework must keep in mind the goals of reestablishing the United States as the global leader in nuclear energy and maintaining the United States’ reputation as a leader in nuclear safety. NIA emphasized that any changes the United States makes in its radiation protection framework must be based on the best available scientific information and developed through a process that maintains public trust. 

NIA submitted a public comment on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Proposed Modernizing Package Certification Requirements Rulemaking. NIA appreciates the staff’s effort to create a performance-based alternative transport package dose rate, but can only support the rule if it is both usable in practice and demonstrably protective of the public.

NRC is proposing to provide greater flexibility for applicants by introducing risk-informed methodologies for demonstrating safety requirements and by “providing an alternative radiation standard for approval of Type B packages for certain exclusive use shipments.” NIA has not previously found a compelling reason to change the radiation standards for transportation. However, NIA could be supportive of the proposed Part 71 optional framework if it is done in a manner that preserves public protection, maintains alignment with other federal agencies, and continues harmonization with international counterparts.

NIA submitted a public comment on NRC's Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NIA generally supports the Commission’s effort to make environmental reviews more focused, efficient, and predictable. NIA is concerned, however, that the proposed definition of environmental effects may go beyond disciplining the scope of NEPA review and unnecessarily narrow the Commission’s interpretation of its authority under the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) and Energy Reorganization Act (ERA). This comment addresses these concerns and responds to NRC’s specific request for comments.

Since its enactment of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act on July 9, 2024, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has made steady progress implementing it. The NRC is tracking its ADVANCE Act deliverables for 36 milestones on a public dashboard. This brief summarizes NRC's progress. 

As of August 2026, the NRC has completed 33 of the 36 identified ADVANCE Act actions and 2026 deliverables.

NIA appreciates the opportunity to comment on the July 1, 2026, proposed Integrated Low-Level 
Radioactive Waste Disposal rule and draft guidance NUREG-2175. NIA is generally supportive of the proposed rule but notes some specific areas of concern.These areas include: NRC Authority over Greater than Class C, Waste Acceptance Criteria, Thresholds for Radionuclide Concentrations, ALARA, and Compliance Periods. 

The Nuclear Innovation Alliance hosted a publication webinar for our updated New Nuclear Energy Guide for State Policymakers by Zach Koshgarian, with speakers Doug Scott of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Kenya Stump of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Chris Stearns of the Washington State House of Representatives, James Richards of NIA, Judi Greenwald of NIA, and moderator Ben Finzel. 

The 2026 update to this report answers the key question, "What can states do?" by highlighting the policies, partnerships, and initiatives that can help advance new nuclear energy projects in states.  

To read the report, click here: New Nuclear Energy Guide for State Policymakers | NIA