Nuclear Regulatory Modernization Act of 2026

The Nuclear Regulatory Modernization Act of 2026 updates how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission handles public hearings and licensing for nuclear facilities. It allows the Commission to issue permits without holding a formal hearing if no one requests one, provided they give at least 30 days of notice and publish their intent in the Federal Register. The bill also permits the construction of uranium enrichment facilities to begin before a final operating license is granted, though the NRC retains the authority to stop construction if regulatory requirements are not met. Additionally, the legislation states that these changes must be implemented in a way that respects existing bans on importing uranium from Russia.