Companies pursuing nuclear energy projects will soon have greater certainty about what it will cost to work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under a new final rule issued today (June 16) by the agency.
The rule establishes fixed caps on many NRC licensing and service fees, reduces costs for prospective applicants, and updates annual fees for Fiscal Year 2026 - changes designed to make the agency's licensing process more predictable, transparent and accessible for innovators and existing licensees alike.
The changes mean organizations seeking NRC approval for nuclear facilities or materials will know in advance the maximum fees they could face for licensing and related services, helping them better plan budgets and manage project costs. The rule also lowers fees for prospective applicants, reducing financial hurdles for companies exploring entry into the nuclear sector.
The action supports implementation of Executive Order 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," which calls for streamlining NRC operations and improving accountability.
Key elements of the final rule include:
- Fixed caps on service fees for licensing and other NRC activities requested by applicants, providing greater financial certainty.
- Improved efficiency and accountability in licensing reviews, with fees tied to defined expectations and resource planning.
- An increase in the professional hourly rate by $19, bringing it to $337 for FY 2026.
- The Reduced Hourly Rate will be $154 more than 50% lower than the professional hourly rate.
- Revised annual fees across all fee classes to better reflect NRC workload, risk- informed priorities, and the agency's FY 2026 enacted budget.
The new fee rule will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency.
