WASHINGTON, D.C. – Coming off the tailwinds of a year filled with nuclear project announcements, regulatory changes will be vital in 2026, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) President and CEO Maria Korsnick said at a Thursday forum.
The restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan, fuel supply chain needs and the continuation of nuclear project licensing will also be important in the new year, Korsnick added.
Energy policy and regulations were discussed among the several top officials from various energy sector policy advocacy groups at the United States Energy Association’s State of the Energy Industry Forum. Panelist President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, Mike Sommers, said energy industries need good and stable policies so industries could withstand political shifts and meet growing energy demand.
Speaking about the nuclear industry, Korsnick said it has begun to see some necessary changes occur with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). She pointed to the ADVANCE Act in 2024, a bipartisan bill passed by Congress, and President Donald Trump’s May 2025 executive orders have lessened regulatory burden and accelerated the process.
Through the executive order “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission”, Korsnick said that the Trump administration is seeking to revise many of the NRC rules. There are 28 rulemakings expected to come out from February to May and open for comment this year, Korsnick said.
The Trump administration expects to have those rulemakings to be finalized by the end of the year. Korsnick said it was ambitious but a necessary goal to continue the newfound momentum of nuclear power.
Additionally, Korsnick said NEI sent NRC over 100 recommendations, including the front end and back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, last summer to support the agency in revising its rulemaking.
“What does it mean? Well first, it means safety first,” Korsnick said. “We’re [NEI] very proud to be a safety-first organization, that’s not going to change, but [we think] you can do things more efficiently. That’s what this regulation [Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission] is aimed at.”
“The change is to get away from the administrative things that are taking way too long and honestly we’re already seeing progress by our regulator…They’re already approving life extension and construction permits. They’re doing all of the rigorous work, but doing it in far less time,” Korsnick added.
Among Korsnick and Sommers, American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet and American Gas Association President and CEO Karen Harbert were the other panelists during this session.