ML25232A075
| ML25232A075 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/11/2025 |
| From: | Kevin Williams NRC/NSIR/DPCP/AAFPB |
| To: | Uhle J Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25232A054 | List: |
| References | |
| ML25232A054 | |
| Download: ML25232A075 (0) | |
Text
Jennifer Uhle, Vice President, Technical & Regulatory Services Nuclear Energy Institute 1201 F St., NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20004-1218
SUBJECT:
RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE LETTER PROVIDING COMMENTS ON DRAFT REGULATORY ISSUE
SUMMARY
2025-XX, PERSONNEL ACCESS AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-IMMIGRANT FOREIGN NATIONALS WORKING AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
Dear Dr. Uhle:
Thank you for the \
letter dated July 14, 2025, NEI Comments on Draft Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) 2025-XX, Personnel Access Authorization Requirements for Non-Immigrant Foreign Nationals Working at Nuclear Power Plants. We sincerely appreciate the input provided by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). The NRC staff acknowledges that the regulatory landscape has evolved since the NRC issued the Power Reactor Security Requirements Final Rule in 2009 (74 FR 13926), and the staff is considering significant adjustments to our regulations and guidance to modernize, reduce unnecessary burden, and ensure that the NRC is responsive to credible risks. The staff has reviewed the insights and perspectives in your letter, which appear to describe a reasonable approach that adequately addresses credible risks related to verifying the identity of non-immigrant foreign nationals.
The staff held a closed meeting on July 30, 2025, with select licensees who have expressed an interest in relying on practices other than the use of government databasessuch as the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE)to complete necessary steps towards validating the non-immigration status of foreign nationals pursuant to the requirements of 10 CFR 73.56(d)(3). The information exchanged during the meeting, together with the information and perspectives shared in your letter, have provided the needed information for us to move forward.
As a result, the staff will revise the RIS accordingly to address the comments outlined in the July 14th letter. Additionally, the staff intends to develop regulatory and guidance revisions as needed pursuant to the direction of Executive Order 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, published on May 23, 2025 (90 FR 22587). In the interim, the staff will work to renew Enforcement Guidance Memorandum (EGM) 20-001, Enforcement Discretion not to Cite Certain Violations of 10 CFR 73.56 Requirements (most recently published as Revision 4 on June 24, 2024, ML24166A021) to continue to address the matter until planned regulatory changes have been implemented.
September 11, 2025
J. Uhle 2
If you have additional comments or questions, please contact me at (301) 415-3340, or via email at Kevin.Williams@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Kevin Williams, Acting Director Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response Signed by Williams, Kevin on 09/11/25