The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission began operations on the 19th of January 1975. This date marked the end of an era for the Atomic Energy Commission which dissolved because critics believed it favored the nuclear industry it was supposed to regulate.
David A. Wright took over the role of chairman on the 1st of August 2025. Christopher T. Hanson served as chairman starting the 20th of January 2021 before this transition occurred.
Region I operates out of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania for northeastern states while Region II sits in Atlanta, Georgia covering most southeastern areas. Region III resides in Lisle, Illinois overseeing the Midwest region and Region IV functions from Arlington, Texas managing western and south central states.
The Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania occurred in 1979 and triggered a review by the Kemeny Commission twelve years later. Critics argued since the 1980s that the NRC favored industry interests over public safety following this event.
Congress passed the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to split these functions because critics believed the older Atomic Energy Commission favored the nuclear industry it was supposed to regulate. The separation aimed to create a true watchdog rather than a promoter as noted by John Byrne and Steven M. Hoffman in their 1996 book Governing the Atom.