NRC RELEASES FY 2009 BUDGET TO CONGRESS; PROVIDES INCREASED
OVERSIGHT OF NUCLEAR PLANTS, MATERIALS AND NEW REACTORS

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission released its proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget to Congress today, requesting $1.02 billion to effectively regulate nuclear power plants and other users of nuclear materials to protect people and the environment.

The budget includes $786.6 million for nuclear reactor safety, $221.3 million for nuclear, materials and waste safety --including $37.3 million for the high-level waste repository -- and $9 million for the Inspector General.

The budget includes a $90.9 million increase over the FY 2008 budget for enhanced regulatory activities driven primarily by continued industry interest in constructing new nuclear facilities and increased oversight of existing reactors, materials and waste licensing. The budget supports initiating the review of seven Combined Operating License (COL) applications for new reactors and continued review of 14 other COL applications expected in FY 2008. In addition to oversight of the existing 104 power reactors, 33 test and research reactors, 20 fuel facilities, and nuclear materials, the agency expects to review 21 uranium recovery applications. Resources are also provided for review of an expected application from the Department of Energy to construct a geologic repository for high-level radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain, Nev.

By law, the NRC recovers approximately 90 percent of its budget from user fees less an appropriation from the Nuclear Waste Fund (NWF) and other activities which are not fee recoverable. As a result, the NRC’s FY 2009 budget request will be financed with $855.5 million from user fees, $37.3 million from the NWF, and $124.2 million from the General Fund.

More details on the agency’s FY 2009 budget can be found in NUREG-1100, Vol. 24, available on NRC’s Web site at: http://www.nrc.gov at the BUDGET link at the bottom left-hand corner. A hard copy is available from the Office of Public Affairs, by calling (301) 415-8200 or e-mailing OPA@nrc.gov.