Uranium applicants could build before operating licenses are issued

Applicants may begin building a uranium enrichment facility after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission records their operating-license application. This applies to uranium enrichment facilities seeking an operating license under the Atomic Energy Act. Construction must follow applicable federal laws and regulations, and the applicant bears all risk. Construction may begin only after the Commission dockets the application and before it issues the operating license.

The Commission must require applicants to certify that they will send written notice before construction begins. This applies to applicants seeking an operating license for a uranium enrichment facility. Notice must go to the state governor, local government leaders and governing bodies, and any applicable Tribal governing body identified through the facility's emergency plan. Written notice must be sent at least 15 days before construction begins.

The Commission must issue regulations reflecting the changes to uranium-facility licensing rules. The regulations concern uranium enrichment facility licensing. For applications filed before those regulations take effect, the Commission may grant an exemption from the rules that applied when the application was filed. The 180-day deadline runs from enactment; the possible exemption applies to applications filed before the new regulations take effect.

The Commission retains authority to oversee construction, deny operating licenses, and allow judicial review of final decisions. These provisions concern the Commission's regulation of uranium enrichment facilities and its licensing decisions. The Commission may deny an application for failure to meet applicable requirements.