NRC Raising Some Fees This Year
Proposed annual fees for FY2019 have increased for operating reactors, some materials users, and Department of Energy transportation activities.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comments by March 4 on proposed changes to its regulations for the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees it would charge applicants and licensees for fiscal year 2019. The agency's proposed rule, published Jan. 31, includes fees required by law to recover approximately 90 percent of NRC's annual budget. The total budget enacted for the agency in FY2019 is approximately $911 million.
After accounting for fee-recovery exclusions, fee-relief activities, and net billing adjustments, the agency must bill approximately $781.9 million in fees in FY2019. About $246.7 million will be recovered through fees for service under 10 CFR Part 170 and approximately $535.2 million through annual fees under 10 CFR Part 171.
Proposed annual fees for FY2019 have increased for operating reactors, some materials users, and Department of Energy transportation activities. Proposed annual fees for the fiscal year decreased for spent fuel storage/reactor decommissioning, research and test reactors, fuel facilities, and the DOE Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act Program. Proposed annual fees for non-DOE uranium recovery licensees are unchanged.
NRC's proposed rule includes several other changes affecting licensees and applicants. First, NRC proposes to increase the hourly rate from $275 in FY2018 to $278 for FY2019. Second, it proposes to revise the flat rate license application fees in 10 CFR 170.21 and 170.31 to reflect the new hourly rate.