WASHINGTON, DC – The Subcommittee on Energy, chaired by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and the Subcommittee on Environment, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today announced a joint subcommittee hearing for Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10:15 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Fiscal Year 2019 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Budget.”

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is tasked with overseeing the safe use of radioactive materials, including the nation’s fleet of nuclear power plants. #SubEnergy and #SubEnvironment will examine the NRC’s 2019 budget proposal to discuss how the agency will effectively fulfill its obligations. Members will also seek to review a variety of aspects of NRC’s financial management and performance, including NRC’s budget structure and process, fee-setting rulemaking, and invoicing processes.

“Next week’s hearing will provide us the opportunity to ensure the NRC’s budget request is appropriately aligned to fulfill their mission amid a shifting nuclear industry,” said Upton and Shimkus. “The committee has long-followed the agency and their implementation of GAO recommended reforms, their fee-setting process, and efforts to improve transparency and accountability.”

In February of 2017, bicameral leaders sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting that they further examine NRC’s billing collection methods.

On March 8, 2018, committee leaders sent a letter to NRC Chairman Svinicki requesting further information on the agency’s efforts to transform itself in response to the changing nuclear industry.

The Majority Memorandum, witness list and testimony, and live webcast will be available online HERE as they are posted.

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