Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Enhance Safety and Oversight at Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants

Reps. Mike Levin (D-CA-49) and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) have reintroduced the bipartisan Increasing Nuclear Safety Protocols for Extended Canister Transfers (INSPECT) Act, which aims to increase safety and oversight at decommissioning nuclear power plants. The bill would require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to keep a resident inspector at decommissioning plants until all spent fuel is transferred from its spent fuel pools to canisters. This move comes in response to the 2018 near-canister drop at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), where a Task Force convened by Rep. Levin made recommendations for improving safety protocols.

Key Takeaways:

• The INSPECT Act would require the NRC to maintain a resident inspector at decommissioning plants until all spent fuel is transferred from spent fuel pools to canisters.
• The bill builds on the recommendations made by the SONGS Task Force, which Rep. Levin convened in January 2019.
• Rep. Levin has been a leader on the issue, introducing several bills to address safety concerns and promote accountability at decommissioning plants, including the Nuclear Waste Administration Act.
• The INSPECT Act would increase transparency and accountability at decommissioning plants, providing communities with confidence in the handling of spent nuclear fuel.
• Rep. Lawler praised the INSPECT Act, stating that it is a "practical, bipartisan step" that would ensure the process is "transparent, accountable, and safe."
• Rep. Levin has secured an amendment to an appropriations bill that would prevent the NRC from removing inspectors from nuclear power plants while spent nuclear fuel is being transferred.

Statistics:

• 2018: The near-canister drop at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) occurred.
• February 2019: Rep. Levin called on NRC Chairwoman Kristine Svinicki to implement a resident inspector at SONGS.
• 2019: Rep. Levin introduced the Nuclear Waste Administration Act to establish an independent agency for nuclear waste management.
• July 2025: Reps. Levin and Lawler reintroduced the INSPECT Act.

Sources:

• Levin, Mike (July 31, 2025). "Reps. Levin, Lawler Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Require On-Site Inspectors at Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants" (Press release). https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-levin-lawler-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-require-on-site-inspectors-at-decommissioning-nuclear-power-plants