Higher Penalties Could Deter Violations of Nuclear Regulations

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) uses civil penalties to enforce its regulations governing the construction and operation of commercial nuclear facilities and the possession, use, and disposal of nuclear materials. NRC requested Congress to authorize a raise in penalties for each violation and for all violations occurring in a period of 30 consecutive days. Penalty limits are low compared to amounts authorized for other Federal regulatory agencies, considering the potential consequences of major violations.