 The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is America's independent regulator, with 3,000 staff working to oversee the safety and security of nuclear facilities and radioactive materials. Our experience has taught us some key lessons about the importance of independence and the role of public trust. In the early days, there was no NRC. The Atomic Energy Commission was responsible for developing and promoting nuclear power, as well as ensuring its safety. It quickly became clear that development and promotional considerations did not always align with safety, and in some cases, they conflicted. The solution was the NRC, an independent regulator making decisions exclusively to protect public health and safety, and not for economic or political reasons. The Department of Energy took over promotion and development. From day one, the NRC was different from the AEC. The first five commissioners came from diverse backgrounds and championed the new agency's independence. Under their leadership, the NRC hired diverse staff and encouraged them to share their views. The NRC also emphasized communication with the public, the nuclear industry, and other stakeholders. Almost 50 years later, the NRC is succeeding at its mission for several very fundamental reasons. Perhaps most importantly, the public can be confident that the people of the NRC have the technical skill and dedication and the appropriate resources to do their jobs well. Secondly, the agency works transparently, sharing information through a comprehensive website, open meetings, and a vast online database. This is how we share license applications, NRC technical analysis, and other important documents. This openness allows the public to see, understand, and participate in NRC decision making. Finally, we've learned important lessons, including what works well, and sometimes what doesn't. We use this information to improve how we do our job. While political, financial, and technical independence are critical to nuclear safety and security, independence does not mean isolation. The NRC stays engaged with licensees, the public, other government agencies, and the global regulatory community. This engagement deepens our understanding of different perspectives and ensures we don't make decisions in a vacuum. And it helps to build the trust necessary for our success. Because a nuclear safety or security incident anywhere in the world would affect us all, we feel it's our responsibility to contribute to a global conversation, to share best practices and lessons learned. Recognizing that every country must follow its own path, the NRC is committed to sharing our experience, learning from our international colleagues, and doing all we can to contribute to nuclear safety and security worldwide.