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Reports by Matt Bowen, Rama T. Ponangi & Dr. Richard A. Meserve • May 11, 2026
The US government is encouraging the construction of hundreds of new nuclear reactors, including through efforts to streamline the reactor licensing process. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversees the licensing of new nuclear power plants. The longest part of this process is typically the NRC safety evaluation, which includes a review by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS). The ACRS is an independent body established in statute by the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) of 1954 that produces integrated technical reviews of reactor projects to support public health and safety. As part of the NRC’s safety evaluation, the Committee’s review imposes time and cost burdens but also provides value.
This report, part of a series of publications on nuclear licensing reform at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA, analyzes ACRS reviews of new reactor licensing actions, including their length and cost to applicants. Because the AEA currently requires the ACRS to review all construction permit and operating license applications, the report also explores circumstances in which ACRS reviews may not provide significant value and might be reasonably declined.
The key findings of this research are as follows:
Policy pathways for Congress and the NRC include the following:
On February 24, 2026, CGEP hosted a private virtual roundtable under the Chatham House rule to discuss the importance of an independent nuclear safety regulator.
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Full report
Reports by Matt Bowen, Rama T. Ponangi & Dr. Richard A. Meserve • May 11, 2026