INL issues second report recommending improvements to nuclear licensing

The article discusses the Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) second report on improving nuclear licensing. The report, titled "Recommendations to Improve Nuclear Licensing," suggests changes to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to streamline and reform nuclear energy licensing processes.

Key recommendations include:

• Extending NRC initial licenses from 40 to 60 years to align with modern reactor designs

• Clarifying NRC and DOE authorities for licensing and authorizing nuclear projects

• Streamlining NRC hearings and modernizing environmental reviews 

• Enhancing NRC safety reviews to improve efficiency and reduce costs 

These recommendations aim to support quicker and cheaper deployment of civil nuclear energy, aligning with the priorities of the new Secretary of Energy.

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