Walden urges Nuclear Regulatory Commission to defer annual licensee fees

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), ranking member on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, this week requested that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) give licensees additional time to pay annual fees due to COVID-19.

“As our country responds to the coronavirus pandemic, we request that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) consider using existing authorities to temporarily defer collecting fees and charges from NRC’s licensees,” wrote Rep. Walden and U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Tom Carper (D-DE).

“We ask you to provide additional time for annual charges to operating nuclear power plants, payments due by entities that hold a license to possess radioactive materials, and collection of fees for service, if such delay does not interfere with NRC’s mission,” according to their letter, which was sent to NRC Chairman Kristine Svinicki. “We believe the NRC should consider deferring the fee collection for at least 90 days.”

As the nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, critical industries, including electric power, are experiencing economic challenges, according to Rep. Walden and his colleagues, who said that many power companies have suspended electricity disconnections for nonpayment by Americans who are struggling with employment hardships.

Medical facilities and industrial companies also face financial pressure and may owe fees associated with holding an NRC materials license, they wrote.

“Deferring the collection of NRC’s fees will provide critical temporary relief and improve the ability of the NRC’s licensees to manage their finances in response to this crisis,” wrote Rep. Walden and the senators.