skip navigation links 
 
 Search Options 
Index | Site Map | FAQ | Facility Info | Reading Rm | New | Help | Glossary | Contact Us blue spacer  
secondary page banner Return to NRC Home Page
About NRC
Statutory Authority
Strategic Plan
Budget & Performance
Organization & Functions
Locations
History
Values
Regulatory Activities
Policymaking
Radiation Protection
Regulation
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Outreach
Public Affairs
Congressional Affairs
International Programs
State and Tribal Programs
Contact Us
Opportunities to Work with NRC
Employment
Contracting
Grants
Civil Rights
Related Information
Information Digest
NRC: Regulator of Nuclear Safety
Radiation Protection and the NRC
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fact Sheet

Our Plans, Budget, and Performance

The NRC uses an integrated process to plan, budget, and assess its performance. Three principal publications document this process:

On this page:

Strategic Planning

The NRC's Strategic Plan (NUREG-1614, Vol. 3) describes how the agency intends to accomplish its mission and establishes the Commission's strategic direction by defining the vision, goals, and outcomes it intends to pursue. In particular, the Strategic Plan focuses on the goals of safety, security, openness, effectiveness, and management that together support the agency's ability to maintain the public health, safety, and trust. Success in achieving each goal in the Strategic Plan will be gauged primarily through performance measures that have been developed for the agency's annual Performance Budget and will be reported in the annual Performance and Accountability Report. The agency's FY 2004-2009 Strategic Plan was released in August 2004.

(To top of page)

The Budget

Each year, the NRC publishes its Performance Budget (NUREG-1100). This publication describes the agency's programs in the performance plan, the budget estimates for these program activities, the distribution of the budget ($917 million, FY 2008 Request), and NRC staff (3,535 full-time equivalents, FY 2008 Request) by major program. The performance plan also includes goals and measures that gauge the agency's success in accomplishing its mission. The NRC sends its budget request to the President who submits it to Congress for authorization. A large percentage of the NRC's authorized budget is defrayed by the collection of license fees as required by law.

(To top of page)

The Performance and Accountability Report

For each fiscal year, NRC evaluates its own performance against the previous year’s Performance Budget (NUREG-1100). The Performance and Accountability Report (NUREG-1542) presents a comprehensive and integrated picture of the agency's performance for a specific fiscal year. This report includes

  • the NRC's audited financial statements,
  • the results of an evaluation of management controls,
  • a report on the agency's success in achieving its strategic and performance goals,
  • the results of any significant assessments of program activities that were carried out during the reporting period, and
  • the NRC Inspector General’s most serious management challenges facing the agency and how the NRC is addressing them.

(To top of page)

Other Assessments

Certain aspects of NRC’s performance also receive independent assessment by the Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The NRC's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) independently and objectively conducts and supervises financial and performance audits and conducts criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. Performance audits focus on NRC administrative and program operations. Financial audits review NRC's internal control systems, transaction processing, financial systems, and contracts. The OIG also assists the agency by assessing and reporting on the NRC's efforts to ensure its safety-related programs are operating in accordance with prescribed rules and regulations.

The GAO is the investigative arm of Congress. GAO exists to support the Congress in meeting its Constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the Federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates Federal programs and activities; and provides analyses, options, recommendations, and other assistance to help the Congress make effective oversight, policy, and funding decisions.

(To top of page)

Related Information



Privacy Policy | Site Disclaimer
Monday, April 28, 2008