An Overview of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

This paper provides an overview of the NRC organization and its activities. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was created by The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and began operations on January 19, 1975. NRC is an independent regulatory agency, led by a five member, politically-appointed commission. The agency's mission is to “protect people and the environment.” The NRC mission covers three main areas; reactors, materials, and waste. The NRC is responsible for overseeing the construction and operation of civilian nuclear reactors in the United States and regulating the safe use of radioactive materials for civilian purposes. This includes medical, industrial, and academic settings and facilities that produce nuclear fuel, as well as the waste. The NRC is responsible for all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle including mining, milling, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, operating power reactors, storage of spent fuel, long-term disposal of waste, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. NRC works with the U.S. Department of Energy, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other government and international organizations to promote the safe use of nuclear materials throughout the world. The NRC engages in extensive public outreach activities and encourages public involvement in its regulatory activities.