This bill would establish a new Office of Public Engagement and Participation within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to help the public participate in nuclear licensing and regulatory proceedings. The office would be led by a director appointed by the NRC Chair and would provide educational guidance, technical assistance, and help coordinate financial support for people who want to participate in NRC proceedings but cannot afford the costs like attorney fees and expert witness fees. The bill requires the NRC to create an Intervenor Trust Fund to pay compensation to eligible participants who demonstrate both significant financial hardship and that their participation would substantially contribute to the proceeding. The NRC must establish the office and promulgate rules for the compensation process within 180 days of enactment, and the director must submit annual reports to Congress on the office's activities. The bill authorizes whatever funding is necessary to satisfy compensation requests through appropriations to the trust fund.
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