Nuclear Regulation: NRC'S Oversight of Nuclear Power Reactors' Decommissioning Funds Could Be Further Strengthened

摘要

About 20 percent of U.S. electricity is generated by 104 nuclear reactors. NRC, which regulates reactors, requires their owners (licensees) to reduce radioactive contamination after reactors permanently shut down. This process, called decommissioning, costs hundreds of millions of dollars per reactor. NRC requires licensees to provide reasonable assurance that they will have adequate funds to decommission, in part, by accumulating funds that are greater than or equal to NRCs decommissioning funding formula. GAO and NRCs OIG have identified concerns about NRCs oversight of decommissioning funds. GAO was asked by Representative Markey in his former capacity as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment to (1) describe how NRC ensures that licensees provide reasonable assurance of adequate decommissioning funds and (2) identify any improvements or weaknesses in NRCs oversight of this area. GAO analyzed NRCs formula and reviews of licensee information and interviewed NRC officials, licensees, and others.