Trump’s nuclear power push weakens regulator and poses safety risks, former officials warn. President Donald Trump has ordered an overhaul of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, part of his push to quadruple nuclear power in the U.S. by 2050. The order requires the NRC to make decisions on nuclear plants within 18 months, completely revise its regulations and reduce its staff. Former NRC commissioners say the order threatens the regulator’s independence, raising safety concerns that could undermine public confidence. President Donald Trump’s push to approve nuclear plants as quickly as possible threatens to weaken the independent regulator tasked with protecting public health and safety, former federal officials warn. Trump issued four sweeping executive orders in May that aim to quadruple nuclear power by 2050 in the U.S. The White House and the technology industry view nuclear as powerful source of reliable electricity that can help meet the growing energy needs of artificial intelligence. The most consequential of Trump’s orders aims to slash regulations and speed up power plant approvals through an overhaul of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC is an independent agency established by Congress in 1975 to make sure that nuclear reactors are deployed and operated safely. Trump accuses the NRC of “risk aversion” in his order, blaming the regulator for how few nuclear plants have been built in the U.S. over the past three decades. The president says that the NRC is focused on protecting the public from “the most remote risks,” arguing that such a cautious approach to approving plants restricts access to reliable electricity.

CNBC 17th July 2025 read more »

US construction and engineering firm Kiewit Corporation has been selected by Oklo Inc as the lead constructor for its first commercial Aurora advanced fission power plant at the Idaho National Laboratory.

World Nuclear News 17th July 2025 read more »