Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Agency overview
Formed	January 19, 1975; 49 years ago (1975-01-19)
Preceding agency	Atomic Energy Commission
Headquarters	North Bethesda, Maryland
Employees	2,868 (2021)[1]
Annual budget	$879 million (2021) [1]
Agency executive	Christopher T. Hanson, Chairman
Website	www.nrc.gov

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency of the United States government tasked with protecting public health and safety related to nuclear energy. Established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the NRC began operations on January 19, 1975, as one of two successor agencies to the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Its functions include overseeing reactor safety and security, administering reactor licensing and renewal, licensing radioactive materials, radionuclide safety, and managing the storage, security, recycling, and disposal of spent fuel.