Energy Regulatory-NRC

Winston & Strawn’s nuclear energy practice group has been engaged in virtually every aspect of nuclear energy policy and regulation for the past 30 years.  Our attorneys provide a broad range of legal services to our clients, addressing all aspects of nuclear energy development and regulation; environmental regulation; hazardous and radioactive waste and related storage and transportation matters; and federal governmental relations and regulatory affairs.  As a measure of our depth, the nuclear energy practice received a No. 1 ranking in the 2005-2006 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, which noted the group’s NRC knowledge, excellent court preparation, technical writing skills, and well-known and respected reputation.

In addition, we provide a unique blend of scientific, technical, and legal experience to the nuclear industry.  A number of our attorneys have undergraduate and/or graduate technical degrees.  Several members of the group have worked with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Other firm attorneys have worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant government institutions.  As a result, we are highly effective in communicating with licensing, engineering, and operations personnel in both the public and private sectors.

Winston & Strawn’s nuclear energy practice has for many years served on a regular basis as counsel to a large number of nuclear licensees in different businesses.  The firm has worked closely with our clients on day-to-day licensing and compliance issues, and we regularly provide advice on the full range of regulatory issues.  This includes initial licensing and administrative hearings, license transfers associated with corporate reorganizations and transactions, investigations and enforcement matters, and discrimination matters, as well as compliance matters, NRC reporting issues, operability determinations, potential backfits, facility changes under 10 C.F.R. § 50.59, exemption requests, license and technical specification amendments, and management of and changes to commitments. 

We also work with our clients in developing strategies for complying with substantive NRC regulations governing such matters as safety-conscious work environments, equipment qualification, fire protection, facility decommissioning, fitness for duty, decommissioning funding, and financial assurance.  We keep current our understanding of the issues and work to shape NRC positions and policies in these areas, in concert with the Nuclear Energy Institute (“NEI”).