NRC reorganizes to create an 
Office of New Reactors

WASHINGTON (08/07/06) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has announced it is reorganizing the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) to create an Office of New Reactors (NRO). The new office is to ensure effective oversight of operating nuclear power plants and prepare for the industry's interest in licensing and building new nuclear power plants in the near term. The NRC is also adding a new organizational unit, headed by a Deputy Regional Administrator for Construction in its Atlanta office, to oversee inspections related to expected new construction of nuclear facilities.

"This change will ensure we maintain our focus on the safe and secure operation of existing nuclear power plants, while enhancing our effectiveness in processing the anticipated new plant licensing workload," said Executive Director for Operations Luis Reyes.

The new Deputy Regional Administrator position and organizational unit in Atlanta will focus on the NRC's Construction Inspection Program, which was announced earlier this year. This program will be responsible for the NRC's oversight of any new nuclear power plant construction for the entire country. The reorganized Region II office will be better equipped to carry out construction inspection activities while maintaining its focus on ensuring safe operation of nuclear power plants in Region II.

The Office of New Reactors should be established by January 2007. NRO will have full responsibility for licensing and program oversight of new reactor activities. NRR will retain full responsibility for licensing and program oversight for activities related to the current operating reactors. The NRC is expecting several applications for new nuclear power plants in late 2007 and early 2008, with initial construction activities soon thereafter.