# NRC Revises Nuclear Safety Rules

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is preparing regulatory changes to make nuclear licensing more predictable across technologies and fuel-cycle activities, including microreactors, uranium enrichment, waste management, and medical applications. The NRC is also considering a rule that would remove the ALARA requirement to keep radiation exposure “as low as reasonably achievable” while retaining existing dose limits; the public comment period has closed. The ALARA rule is expected to reach the Commission in mid-November 2026, with publication targeted for February 2027. These are regulatory developments, not announced procurements: the signals identify no solicitation, contract award, or funding opportunity.

- Reactor developers, fuel-cycle firms, and nuclear services providers may need to evaluate how proposed licensing and radiation-protection changes affect their programs and compliance strategies, particularly for advanced reactors.
- The proposed ALARA change could reduce subjective compliance and inspection burdens, but existing dose limits would remain; companies should distinguish the proposal from a finalized rule.
- Procurement teams can use the stated rulemaking milestones—Commission consideration expected in mid-November 2026 and publication targeted for February 2027—to inform planning for future regulatory, safety, licensing, and oversight support needs.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Policy
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

### Key Quotes
> We're seeing the third approach, which is essentially the middle of the road that the NRC is advocating in the rulemaking,
> — Tom Dougherty, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson

### Sources
- [
        The world is building more nuclear power plants at the same time geopolitical tensions are growing - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/podcast/federal-drive-with-terry-gerton-podcast/the-world-is-building-more-nuclear-power-plants-at-the-same-time-geopolitical-tensions-are-growing) - Federal News Network
- [
        The rules governing nuclear safety were written for a different era of technology - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/technology-main/2026/10/the-rules-governing-nuclear-safety-were-written-for-a-different-era-of-technology) - Federal News Network
- [
        The world is building more nuclear power plants at the same time geopolitical tensions are growing - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2026/10/the-world-is-building-more-nuclear-power-plants-at-the-same-time-geopolitical-tensions-are-growing) - Federal News Network