DOE, NRC prepare for government shutdown

The result: The DOE will furlough approximately 8,100 employees under its contingency plan as of September 24, leaving around 5,707, full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees who will be retained to conduct responsibilities under the law and to protect life and property, including work by the assistant secretary for nuclear energy and work at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Separately, under the NRC’s guidance, the commission will furlough 1,837 employees and retain approximately 571 employees to conduct responsibilities of the president to protect life and property.

After the lapse in funding and once the NRC exhausts available funds, it will halt licensing, certification, and permitting activities—including prelicensing activities and environmental reviews and Inspections, according to the latest guidance.

In addition, once the NRC’s remaining appropriations are exhausted, a small group of employees, including resident inspectors and headquarters operations officers, will continue to monitor licensee activities and perform the minimum work needed to protect public health and safety and provide essential services.

History: The last government shutdown took place in December 2018 and lasted 35 days, until January 25, 2019—making it the longest government shutdown in more than 40 years.

Congressional Democrats remain in a standoff with congressional Republicans over the Democrats’ demands to renew soon-to-expire health care tax credits. Senate Democrats voted against a Republican “clean” continuing resolution on September 30, which passed the House earlier in September and would have funded the government for seven more weeks.