H.R. 5549 — Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act

This section revises Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) hearing procedures for licensing nuclear production or utilization facilities (i.e., nuclear reactors and related facilities) and uranium enrichment facilities under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 by (1) authorizing issuance of construction permits, operating licenses, combined licenses, or amendments without a hearing after 30 days notice and Federal Register publication if no affected person requests a hearing, with notice dispensable for amendments involving no significant hazards consideration; (2) requiring informal adjudicatory procedures for any required hearing; (3) allowing combined construction and operating licenses after the notice period or a hearing, as applicable (previously requiring a public hearing); and (4) conditioning hearings for uranium enrichment facility licenses on a request by an affected person (previously on the record). The amendments apply to all applications and proceedings pending before the NRC on or after enactment.