“A bill to establish an Office of Public Engagement and Participation within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), not later than 180 days after enactment, an Office of Public Engagement and Participation to support public participation in proceedings before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP), including by providing educational and technical guidance, coordinating financial assistance for eligible participants demonstrating substantial contribution to proceedings and significant financial hardship, increasing virtual participation opportunities, and facilitating environmental justice recommendations (SECY–22–0025). The section defines key terms (e.g., participant per 10 CFR 2.4; substantial contribution as likely assisting NRC decisions on public health and safety; significant financial hardship as inability to afford participation costs without undue burden). It further requires appointment of a Director (5-year term, renewable once; compensated at Senior Executive Service maximum rate under 5 USC 5382) who reports to the full Commission but operates independently of individual Commissioners or staff, administers the office, and hires staff under title 5, United States Code; it also references an Intervenor Trust Fund under subsection (i)(1).