NRC To Consider Variable Annual Fee For Small Nuclear Reactors

On May 15, 2015, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a staff proposal to develop "variable" fees for small modular reactors ("SMRs") through a subsequent rulemaking process. The annual fees could then be modified for individual SMRs based on megawatt capacity. Currently, annual fees are allocated equally among all operating nuclear reactors. The annual fees are used to fund 90 percent of the NRC's budget, as required by law.

In addition to staff's proposal of the SMR variable fee, the proposal also recommended that a single annual fee be assessed to a site with multiple SMRs, rather than an annual fee assessed to each reactor. Staff also noted that if the variable fee for SMRs is not approved, then SMRs' fees would be assessed under the current methodology, but that SMRs would be able to petition for a partial exemption if the fee was a disproportionate burden for the SMR.