The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has proposed a rule that would set clearer groundwater protection standards for communities near uranium in-situ recovery (ISR) sites, while also easing administrative timelines for decommissioning radioactive materials facilities and nuclear reactors and ensuring safety.

The rule addresses two distinct areas of NRC oversight. First, it would establish criteria for protecting drinking water from radiological and non-radiological contamination near ISR facilities, where uranium is extracted from underground deposits by injecting fluids into ore-bearing rock.

Second, it would streamline the process for extending decommissioning timelines, cutting redundant administrative steps that facility owners currently face when winding down operations.