Bill · S. 2161· Senate(119-S-2161)
NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 6/25/2025
- Last activity
- 6/25/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Office of Public Engagement and Participation within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The new Office will be led by a Director and is designed to support public participation in Commission proceedings. It aims to provide technical and educational guidance to help the public participate in the regulatory process. Additionally, the Act creates an Intervenor Trust Fund to provide compensation for legal and expert witness fees to eligible participants. The Office also focuses on increasing virtual attendance opportunities and implementing environmental justice recommendations.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill increases transparency by establishing an office for public engagement and requiring annual reports to Congress.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill provides financial assistance for legal and expert fees to participants facing significant hardship.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill promotes environmental justice through the implementation of specific agency recommendations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Assistance for Participation: The bill allows for the compensation of reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs for participants facing significant financial hardship (Section 2(f)(1)).
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Increased Accessibility: The Office is tasked with providing plain-language resources and guidance to help the public understand how to request compensation and participate in proceedings (Section 2(d)(4)(A)).
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Improved Public Involvement: The Office will work to increase opportunities for virtual attendance and participation in Commission meetings and proceedings (Section 2(d)(5)).
-
Support for Public Interest Advocates: The Office will serve as a liaison to those who advocate for the public interest regarding matters within the Commission's jurisdiction (Section 2(d)(2)).
-
Environmental Justice Implementation: The Office is responsible for facilitating the implementation of recommendations regarding how agency programs and policies address environmental justice (Section 2(d)(6)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Requirement of Demonstration of Hardship: To receive compensation, participants must be able to demonstrate both a "significant financial hardship" and that their participation would provide a "substantial contribution" to the proceeding (Section 2(f)(1)(A) and (B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5
- 7/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Introduced in Senate
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont