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Radiation Protection

How is the EPA involved with the regulation and safety of nuclear power plants?

The EPA's role in nuclear power generation is to set public health and environmental radiation protection standards. To learn more, please visit Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations (40 CFR Part 190).

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is responsible for licensing facilities, commercial use of nuclear materials, facility inspection and the creation of standards and regulations for nuclear power plant safety. For more information on the NRC’s role, please visit Nuclear Security and Safeguards on NRC.gov.

Return to Frequent Questions about Radiation Protection.