U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led a hearing on May 13 to examine the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027.
The hearing addressed recent changes within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) aimed at improving efficiency and supporting the safe expansion of nuclear energy. These changes have resulted in savings that are reflected in the agency’s new budget request.
“This is the first time that the Committee is hearing from Chairman Nieh and Commissioner Weaver, as they were confirmed last year with bipartisan support,” Capito said during her opening statement. She added, “Since being designated Chairman on January the 8th, Chairman Nieh has been actively overseeing the implementation of the ADVANCE Act, Executive Order 14300, while also making sure licenses are efficiently reviewed and approved.”
Capito acknowledged previous leadership by Commissioner Wright and highlighted efforts to update NRC’s mission statement: “Of particular note, Commissioner Wright worked with Commissioner Crowell to update the NRC’s Mission Statement to align with today’s reality that we need to preserve and rapidly expand nuclear capacity.” She continued by noting ongoing improvements: “The Commission has also approved an Agency reorganization that aligns the NRC staff with current and projected work, consolidates unnecessary administrative staffing and eliminates levels of bureaucracy.”
According to the official website, Shelley Moore Capito chairs a committee responsible for federal programs related to environmental quality, natural resources, infrastructure legislation affecting nationwide policies on conservation and national needs. The committee maintains its base in the Senate Dirksen Office Building for hearings and operations.
Capito also pointed out advances in licensing efficiency: “Those licensing efficiencies are already evident. The NRC recently completed the fastest ever subsequent license renewal for a reactor, nearly cutting in half the time and cost of what was normal at the Agency two years ago.”
“As States across the country, including my state of West Virginia, consider nuclear power’s potential meet [sic] growing energy demand,” she said in closing remarks, “I expect the NRC will prove through its actions that it will not be an obstacle to reliable, clean electricity generation.”
