Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act

This bill amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to make hearings on nuclear facility construction applications more efficient. It changes when hearings are required and allows the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to use informal procedures instead of formal ones.

Sec. 2, Updating hearing procedures: The bill modifies Section 189 a. of the Atomic Energy Act to let the Commission issue certain permits or licenses without a hearing if no one requests one, after 30 days notice and Federal Register publication. It also requires the Commission to use informal adjudicatory procedures for any hearing held under this section. For construction permits and operating licenses under Section 185 b., the bill replaces the requirement for a public hearing with a reference to the new notice or hearing process. For uranium enrichment facility licensing under Section 193(b), it removes the requirement for a hearing "on the record" and specifies that a hearing is only needed if an affected person requests it. The amendments apply to all applications and proceedings pending before the Commission on or after the bill's enactment date.