Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026

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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues annual fee schedule rules as required by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, which mandates that the NRC recover approximately 90 percent of its annual budget from the entities it regulates. This fiscal year 2026 rulemaking updates both annual fees and hourly rates charged to licensees and applicants across the nuclear industry. The fee structure covers a wide range of regulated parties, including commercial nuclear power reactors, research and test reactors, fuel cycle facilities, and users of nuclear materials for medical, industrial, and research purposes. The fees are calculated based on the NRC's projected budget and the number and type of licensees in each fee category. Changes in the agency's appropriated budget, shifts in the licensee population, or adjustments to how costs are allocated among categories can all cause individual fees to rise or fall from year to year. Entities that are subject to annual fees typically include operating power reactor licensees, while applicants and licensees receiving specific services are charged hourly rates for the NRC staff time devoted to their cases. Implementation typically follows the standard federal rulemaking process, including a proposed rule published in the Federal Register, a public comment period, and then a final rule. The final fee schedule generally takes effect at or near the start of the relevant fiscal year, which begins October 1. Nuclear utilities and other licensees must budget for these fees as part of their annual operating costs. The practical impact falls most heavily on the commercial nuclear power industry, which accounts for the largest share of NRC fee collections. Smaller licensees, such as medical or research institutions using radioactive materials, pay comparatively modest fees but are still subject to the schedule. Certain categories of licensees, such as nonprofit educational institutions and government entities, may qualify for exemptions or reduced fees under existing regulations.

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