H.R. 4809: Increasing Nuclear Safety Protocols for Extended Canister Transfers Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Increasing Nuclear Safety Protocols for Extended Canister Transfers Act of 2025 (or INSPECT Act of 2025), aims to enhance safety measures at commercial nuclear power plants that have permanently shut down. Specifically, it would require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to assign a resident inspector to each of these decommissioned plants. The purpose of this inspector would be to monitor the plant's decommissioning activities and the transfer of spent nuclear fuel from the plant's spent fuel pools to dry storage, which is considered a safer method of storage.

Key Provisions

• Assignment of Inspectors: The NRC must assign a resident inspector to each commercial nuclear power plant that has ceased operations. This inspector will be responsible for overseeing and inspecting the activities related to decommissioning and the transfer of spent nuclear fuel.
• Duration of Assignment: The resident inspector will remain at the plant for the entire period it takes to complete the transfer of spent nuclear fuel from pools to dry storage.
• Reassignment of Inspectors: If a plant does not have active decommissioning or spent fuel transfer activities, the NRC has the authority to reassign the inspector to other duties as necessary.

Overall, this legislation seeks to strengthen oversight and safety protocols during the critical process of decommissioning nuclear facilities and managing spent nuclear fuel, thereby aiming to protect public health and the environment during these procedures.

Relevant Companies

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